Environment cleans up: Unanimous support for plastic bag ban

Environment Victoria has welcomed the announcement that Victorian Labor plans to legislate a ban on plastic shopping bags next year.

“Victoria has a waste problem. This is an important first step to cut out unsustainable use of plastics. We look forward to all sides of politics supporting the plastic bag ban and further initiatives to reduce unnecessary use of plastic,” said Mark Wakeham, CEO of Environment Victoria.

“This announcement couldn’t have come soon enough. We are the second last State to legislate the ban, joining the rest of Australia and leaving New South Wales in the dust.

“We should be aiming for a circular economy where we no longer create unnecessary waste. The things we buy don’t have to have such an adverse effect on our environment and contribute to recycling problems in our State.

“Victorians use approximately 1.6 billion plastic bags each year. Many of these end up polluting our neighbourhoods and waterways. Anyone who has walked down the banks of the Yarra will have seen it littered with plastic bags.

“Victorian voters know we need to cut our unsustainable use of plastics, and banning plastic shopping bags is an important early step. This needs to be the start of reducing our use of plastics so we’re not creating waste that exists forever.

“It should be clear to all sides of politics that Victorians want a government who supports and looks after our environment. Initiatives to address environmental problems like waste, pollution and global warming are going to be key in the upcoming State election.

“This November, Victorians will be using their voices and their votes for our state’s sustainable future. The overwhelming community support for this first step of banning single-use plastic bags demonstrates that the environment will be a key election issue.

“We are calling on both sides of politics and all parties to step up. Victoria needs a state government who will reform our recycling systems, deal with our most challenging waste issues, and guarantee Victoria a clean and sustainable future,” said Mr Wakeham.