Sign The Open Letter: Ban Plastic Bags

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Dear Minister,

Environment ministers have been discussing the issue of removing plastic bags from the litter stream and...

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Dear Minister,

Environment ministers have been discussing the issue of removing plastic bags from the litter stream and marine environment for long enough.

Every Australian wants our stunning rivers, oceans and waterways to have a clean and healthy future. Plastic pollution infests waterways, clogging them with plastic bags, packaging and microbeads.  In Australia, the CSIRO Marine Debris Report 2014 estimated there are over 124 billion individual pieces of visible plastic littering the Australian coastline.

The tripartisan 2016 Senate Inquiry into Marine Plastic Pollution urged Australian state and federal governments to ban plastic bags and microbeads as a matter of urgency.

Tasmania, the ACT, the Northern Territory and South Australia have already banned single use plastic bags and can improve their legislation to include 'so-called biodegradable' bags which are just as big a problem in the marine environment as conventional plastic bags.

We are calling on Environment Ministers in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia to catch up and take immediate action by banning single use plastic bags (including so-called biodegradable bags). 

Plastic pollution is lethal. We need strong action now.

 

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In July 2017 Environment Ministers are meeting to discuss what to do about plastic bags.

Tasmania, the ACT, The Northern Territory and South Australia have already banned single use plastic bags and Queensland is introducing a ban in July 2018.

We're making sure when they meet that the NSW, Victorian and WA Ministers know there is huge community support for taking action on plastic bags. We've joined with 49 community and environment groups, representing thousands of members, to write an open letter demanding greater action. Add your name to the open letter today to let the ministers know you support a ban on plastic bags.  

There is increasing evidence that even though a small percentage of bags are littered and then broken up into smaller and smaller pieces – they have a devastating impact on the environment. This includes so called ‘biodegradable’ bags, which are just as dangerous in the marine environment.

With the CSIRO Marine Debris Report 2014 estimating there are over 124 billion individual pieces of visible plastic littering the Australian coastline – and a large legacy of plastic from previous years becoming microplastic – action needs to be taken on multiple fronts.

Plastic pollution is a major threat to wildlife. Globally it is estimated that 1 million sea birds and over 100,000 mammals die every year as a result of plastic ingestion or entanglement. Of great concern are the secondary microplastics derived from broken up bags and bottles.

We estimate that some 180 million bags enter the Australian environment every year.

Read the full letter and our policy recommendations here

Thanks to our partners who joined the open letter. 


Showing 1710 reactions

  • Diana De Vries
    signed 2015-12-08 10:37:16 +1100
    Far too many people use plastic bags irresponsibly and contribute to far too much litter and waste. Take plastic bags out of the equation for the sake of our wildlife and the environment.

    Thank you
  • Carrie Stapleford
    signed 2015-12-08 10:36:27 +1100
  • Angela Parker
    signed 2015-12-08 10:35:42 +1100
    South Australia has done it so show some balls and get into the 21st century.
  • 💧Rani Lyons 🐟🌿⛈
    signed 2015-12-08 10:33:44 +1100
  • Doug Clarke
    signed 2015-12-08 10:31:45 +1100
  • edna richards
    signed via 2015-12-08 10:30:05 +1100
  • lesley cameron
    signed 2015-12-08 10:28:56 +1100
  • Rute Rocha
    signed 2015-12-08 09:55:46 +1100
  • Karen Winter
    signed 2015-12-08 09:28:02 +1100
    I refuse all plastic bags as I see them blowing around in the forest where I live all the time. Not to mention all over the sides of the roads and in creeks and streams affecting the wildlife!
  • diana paterson
    signed 2015-12-08 09:21:41 +1100
  • Mary Read
    signed via 2015-12-08 08:43:36 +1100
  • Liam Wellstead
    signed 2015-12-08 08:22:07 +1100
  • Karen Fong
    signed 2015-12-08 08:10:59 +1100
  • Cheryl Judd
    posted about this on Facebook 2015-12-08 07:43:17 +1100
    I just signed the open letter calling on Environment Ministers to ban single use plastic bags.
  • Cheryl Judd
    signed 2015-12-08 07:42:49 +1100
  • Jenny Cleland
    signed 2015-12-08 06:48:56 +1100
  • Sarah Neal
    signed 2015-12-08 05:49:22 +1100
  • Lyndall Mccormack
    signed 2015-12-08 00:40:24 +1100
    There is huge community support for taking action on plastic bags
  • Ananda Dickman
    signed 2015-12-08 00:19:48 +1100
    If we don’t ban plastic bags, we need to put a 20c tax on them to reduce their use, at the very least.


    Please consider this as the number of plastic bags and single use plastic items I’ve had to pick up while walking my dog has gotten to be shocking.

    Sincerely, Ananda Dickman.
  • Tina Hsu
    signed 2015-12-07 22:51:51 +1100
  • Nicolette Black
    signed 2015-12-07 22:49:19 +1100
    Works really well in Canberra
  • Yvonne Fessler
    signed 2015-12-07 22:46:30 +1100
  • Tessa & Daniel Nelson
    signed 2015-12-07 22:39:06 +1100
  • Imelda Craglietto
    signed 2015-12-07 22:33:01 +1100
    This is a serious issue particularly for the effect on the sea life. Single use plastic is unnecessary and unsustainable.
  • Jon Kelly
    signed 2015-12-07 22:26:07 +1100
    Pls stop this lazy unsustainable one use plastic bags in our state/country.


    Thanks,Jon Kelly.
  • Carole Burns
    signed via 2015-12-07 22:20:38 +1100
  • Lee Cousins
    posted about this on Facebook 2015-12-07 22:18:00 +1100
    I just signed the open letter calling on Environment Ministers to ban single use plastic bags.
  • Lee Cousins
    signed 2015-12-07 22:17:41 +1100
    Please this is such an urgent situation that needs to be sorted out. Plastic bags are unnecessary & such a danger to marine life.

    Thank you.

    Lee cousins
  • Helen L'Orange
    posted about this on Facebook 2015-12-07 22:13:06 +1100
    I just signed the open letter calling on Environment Ministers to ban single use plastic bags.
  • Helen L'Orange
    signed 2015-12-07 22:12:17 +1100
    must be done – now