Urgent Action Needed on Plastic Bags - Greens

Media Release, 20 March 2008  

Greens MLC Giz Watson today renewed the Greens' support for a total ban on plastic shopping bags.

A leaked federal government report indicates that plastic bag use rose by almost 1 billion bags in 2007.

"The Greens have always supported a total ban on plastic bags," Ms Watson said.

"The Federal Environment Minister has failed to provide a timetable or a plan to phase out plastic bag use,” Ms Watson said.

In Ireland the introduction of a 25c levy on plastic bags resulted in a 90% reduction in plastic bag use and it would have same effect here.