Council pledge on plastic bags

By Rebecca Fraser
CASEY residents have been urged to “get serious” and reduce their plastic bag usage.
The move follows last week’s council decision to try to phase out the use of plastic bags at all Casey shopping centres by 2008.
Local store managers have welcomed the move and say the target is both realistic and achievable.
Michael Pettitt, manager of Richies IGA Supermarket in Berwick, said they advertised the benefits of green bags with posters around the store saying that plastic shopping bags have got to go.
“I think people are aware that plastic bags will soon disappear, although some people say they never will,” Mr Pettitt said.
“I definitely think we can be rid of plastic bags by 2008.
“I heard of one country town that managed to ban plastic bags altogether.
“Many people bring in their own green bags and are aware that by doing this they are saving one more plastic bag from being dumped,” he said.
Manager of Coles Fountain Gate, Nathan Moore, said they also offered customers greener alternatives.
“We offer every customer a green bag and leave it up to them if they want to purchase one,” Mr Moore said.
“We sell quite a few of the green bags, about a box a day and there are 24 bags in one box.
“I think the 2008 target is realistic.
“More and more people are getting educated about the use of plastic bags each day and about eight out of ten customers here will take the green bag or bring one in.
Casey’s latest bid to wipe out plastic bags follows a successful program implemented in January 2004 in Casey’s coastal villages to reduce the usage of shopping bags in Cannons Creek, Warneet, Blind Bight and Tooradin.
The Cannons Creek phase of the “A Better Environment in the Bag” program has been completed and storeowner Robert Bell estimates the program has led to a reduction of 350 bags a month.
He welcomed news that Casey had set a 2008 deadline.
“The program has been very successful,” he said.
“You will never be able to remove plastic bags altogether but we can certainly reduce them.
“I have really seen the evidence that this program has worked.
“If I had to rate its success from one to 10 I would rate it a 10 and a half — most definitely,” he said.
Araluen Ward councillor Rob Wilson said plastic bags posed a huge environmental problem and it was time to become even more proactive on the issue.
“Plastic bags do not break down and end up in our tips and everywhere else,” Cr Wilson said.
“We started off slowly but now it is time to get serious.
“This issue has been placed on the national and state agenda and we need to follow on from this.
“The Tasmania Government has said they will phase out plastic bags by 2008 so I thought why cannot we?”
Casey’s latest decision will not involve the distribution of more reusable bags beyond the four coastal villages.