Business bagged for over-use of plastics: [1 All-round Country Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 16 Dec 2002: 5.
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Abstract
“Australians are using more than 6.9 billion plastic shopping bags every year, with many of these bags only being used once to get the shopping home,” Dr [David Kemp] said. “Although 53 per cent of these bags originate from supermarkets, the remainder come from smaller retailers such as electrical and clothing stores, fast food and convenience stores and liquor outlets.
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REDUCE plastic bag wastage and clean up the environment, the federal Government urged small business yesterday.
Launching the Bag Yourself a Better Environment campaign, run by Clean Up Australia, Environment Minister David Kemp said small businesses needed to follow the lead of big retailers such as Coles, Woolworths and Bi-Lo in making a commitment to minimise plastic bag use.
“Australians are using more than 6.9 billion plastic shopping bags every year, with many of these bags only being used once to get the shopping home,” Dr Kemp said. “Although 53 per cent of these bags originate from supermarkets, the remainder come from smaller retailers such as electrical and clothing stores, fast food and convenience stores and liquor outlets.
“Less than 3 per cent of these bags ever get recycled and many find their way on to city streets and waterways, killing and injuring thousands of birds and marine life.”
Greenpeace oceans campaigner Quentin Hanich said he was glad to hear the Government was taking theissue seriously, but without compulsory measures it was hard to see industry or consumers undertaking thechanges required.