The Shire of Collie are still yet to comment on whether they support a phase out of single-use plastic shopping bags after the WA Local Government Association committed to support the state-wide ban of plastic bags.
The announcement was followed by supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles stated its intentions to phase out single-use plastic bags at their checkouts over the next 12 months.
WALGA President Cr Lynne Craigie welcomed the resolution, saying the agreed position was the result of significant consultation across the sector.
“In supporting a State-wide ban on plastic bags, Local Government is seeking to reduce litter on the land and in our rivers and ocean, reduce the plastic bag contamination in our composting and alternative waste treatment facilities and to engage the community in the waste avoidance discussion,” she said.
“This policy position has resulted from significant consultation across the sector and further supports those Local Governments that are already taking action on plastic bags.”
Cr Craigie said that in making the decision, the WALGA State Council also agreed that the ban should be supported by community education, environmental alternatives and an equitable transition period.
WA’s peak environment body the Conservation Council of WA and the Plastic Free WA campaign have welcomed the commitment from both Woolworths and Coles. Council spokesperson Sarah English said consumers support the move by both supermarket chains.
“Where plastic bags have been banned in other states, consumers and the community have strongly supported the move,” she said.
“Millions of plastic bags end up in rivers, wetlands, and the ocean every year in WA alone. The problem with plastic bags is that they never break down, but persist in our environment to harm and kill our birds and marine life.
“The solution is to prevent plastic pollution in the first place, by changing our laws and our behaviour here in WA.
“Plastic bags haven’t always been part of our daily lives, and communities all over the world are finding alternatives to single use plastic.
This is why Woolworths and Coles’ ban on single use plastic bags is a strong step in the right direction.”
Do you support the phasing out of single-use plastic bags?
Email shannon.wood@fairfaxmedia.com.au with your thoughts.
