Press release – 7 June, 2017With over one billion plastic bags littered in the last 10 years, it’s time for a ban, key environment groups said today, as Australia’s environment ministers prepare to meet on the issue.They also released a new poll showing 65% of residents in NSW, VIC and WA supported a ban; with 79% support in states with existing bans (see below).
“The environmental and community verdict is in – it’s time for state governments to take action. The growing alarm about plastic pollution of the ocean is creating added urgency which can’t be ignored,” said Jeff Angel, Director of the Boomerang Alliance of 47 groups.
Greenpeace Senior Media Campaigner, Simon Black, said: "Australians use tens of millions of plastic bags each day".
"An estimated 50 million of the littered bags end up in our waterways and oceans each year. There is now an estimated 1.7 million tonnes of plastic contaminating our waterways.”
"Much of it in the form of invisible microplastics which cannot be seen but kill marine life and contaminating our food."
Ian Kiernan, AO, Chairman of CleanUp Australia said: “We’re seeing more and more businesses and local communities ditching the plastic bag. There are plenty of alternatives. Governments should take their guide from this and enact state laws.”
Omnipoll 25 May – 5 June 2017
Support or not the ban in "STATE" of single use plastic bags given out at supermarket and store checkouts.
Column %
Total of all states
NSW
VIC
WA
States with existing bans
Yes/support
67
63
67
68
79
No/do not support
20
22
20
19
15
Unsure/can’t say
13
15
14
13
6
NET
100
100
100
100
100
Column n
1116
353
308
302
153
Column
14199
612
456
198
1520
Further information:
Jeff Angel, Boomerang Alliance – 0418 273 773
Simon Black, Greenpeace, 0418 219 086