Sign The Open Letter: Ban Plastic Bags

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GOAL: 2,000

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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Will you sign?


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

  • Rebecca Privilege
    signed 2016-02-16 20:33:29 +1100
    Rebecca Privilege
  • Kristy Janin
    signed 2016-02-04 07:22:09 +1100
  • Laura Casserly
    signed via 2016-02-03 19:48:18 +1100
  • Denice Askebrink
    signed 2016-02-03 19:31:59 +1100
    Prohibit plastic bags!!
  • john kats
    signed 2016-02-03 18:26:43 +1100
  • vanessa casilli
    signed 2016-02-03 17:25:10 +1100
  • Chris Todd
    signed 2016-02-03 17:24:48 +1100
  • tereza todd
    signed 2016-02-03 16:55:09 +1100
  • Dayanna Grageda
    signed 2016-02-03 08:40:48 +1100
    Please ban plastic bags, they are unnecessary and damaging our environment. Shops like aldi here in Australia don’t give them out and people are happy
  • Rohana Norgate
    signed 2016-02-01 21:32:27 +1100
  • Sally Jolliffe
    signed 2016-01-31 16:32:58 +1100
  • Ayesha Amos
    signed 2016-01-31 15:44:32 +1100
    Ayesha Amos
  • Michael Guthrie
    signed 2016-01-27 04:24:23 +1100
  • Becky Banks
    signed 2016-01-18 08:57:36 +1100
  • Karen Buckland
    signed via 2016-01-16 11:42:33 +1100
  • Helen Winter
    posted about this on Facebook 2016-01-16 09:02:49 +1100
    I just signed the open letter calling on Environment Ministers to ban single use plastic bags.
  • Helen Winter
    signed via 2016-01-16 09:01:16 +1100
    signed
  • Lynne Dunn
    signed 2016-01-15 21:30:54 +1100
  • Robyn Keen
    signed via 2016-01-14 19:01:49 +1100
    It is time to address plastic bag pollution. The environment deserves it.
  • sarah trew
    signed 2016-01-12 12:24:44 +1100
  • Joseph wursthorn
    signed 2016-01-10 14:13:33 +1100
  • Alicia Ryan
    signed 2016-01-07 13:16:45 +1100
  • Vanessa Mulcay
    posted about this on Facebook 2015-12-31 18:31:48 +1100
    I just signed the open letter calling on Environment Ministers to ban single use plastic bags.
  • Vanessa Mulcay
    signed 2015-12-31 18:31:07 +1100
  • Sandra Wooltorton
    signed 2015-12-31 17:08:20 +1100
    Please ban plastic bags. They are unnecessary, dangerous, polluting, part of an outdated industry (fossil fuel), they contribute to human passivity and there are many better alternatives.
  • lia checketts
    signed 2015-12-31 15:18:00 +1100
  • Massimo Rivetti
    signed 2015-12-27 15:45:50 +1100
  • Kim Fenton
    signed 2015-12-27 10:24:43 +1100
    I moved from the ACT TO NSW recently and am shocked how people disregard the damage plastic bags do and don’t think twice about using them, throwing copious amounts away. I definately look the odd one out taking my hessan bags to every shop I go to. Unfortunately the only way to make a difference with most peole is to charge them for their plastic bags. This way they will mostly bring their own bags on a regular basis.
  • Janice Atkins
    signed 2015-12-27 07:01:45 +1100
  • Zoe Silverwood
    signed 2015-12-25 00:26:09 +1100