Narre Warren resident Shane leaves Fountain Gate Shopping Centre with a trolley full of groceries. 21500
By Kelly Yates
THE Australian-first trial aiming to reduce the use of plastic bags will start in Casey supermarkets on 18 August.
Casey shoppers will be among the first in Australia to pay for plastic bags after the trial of a plastic bag levy was given the go ahead by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The four-week trial, with a 10-cent charge being placed on plastic bags, will commence in Coles, Safeway and IGA supermarkets in Berwick, Narre Warren and Hampton Park.
The participating stores will include Coles, Safeway and Bi-Lo in Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, Supa IGA on Webb Street in Narre Warren, Coles along Parkhill Drive in Berwick, Safeway and Coles in Hampton Park and Safeway and Supa IGA in Berwick.
Sixteen supermarkets across Victoria will participate in the trial.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Gavin Jennings said the aim of the trial was to find the simplest and cheapest way to reduce the use of plastic bags.
“The response by these communities to the trial will inform work towards a national approach to reducing plastic bag use,” he said.
Chief executive of the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) Margy Osmond said retailers would not profit from the trial.
“The money raised from the 10-cent levy would be spent on community education and local environmental projects,” she said.
The ANRA will use the trial to see how shoppers respond to being charged for each plastic bag they use.
A steering committee, chaired by Caroline Bayliss from RMIT University will oversee the trial and its outcomes.
The outcomes of the trial will be considered at the next meeting of State, Territory and Commonwealth environment ministers in November this year and will help inform a national approach to reducing plastic bag use.
ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said consumers could avoid the charge on plastic bags by bringing their own carry bags.
People in the trial locations can also have their say on the trial through a telephone feedback service.
For the cost of a local call, Casey residents can report on their experiences in changing from a plastic bag to a more sustainable carry bag, have input on the charge for bags or make suggestions for reusing existing plastic bags.
The telephone number is 136 186.
