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

  • Barbara Stewart
    signed 2015-12-14 21:56:57 +1100
    We cannot rely on too many people to do the right thing disposing of plastic bags properly. Therefore plastic bags must be banned. There are alternatives.
  • Irene Tognetti
    posted about this on Facebook 2015-12-14 21:54:33 +1100
    I just signed the open letter calling on Environment Ministers to ban single use plastic bags.
  • Irene Tognetti
    @Blueberryash tweeted link to this page. 2015-12-14 21:54:29 +1100
    I just signed the open letter calling on Environment Ministers to ban single use plastic bags. http://www.boomerangalliance.org.au/banplasticbags?recruiter_id=1204
  • Irene Tognetti
    signed 2015-12-14 21:53:37 +1100
    I totally support banning of plastic bags in Australia
  • Sean Quirke
    signed 2015-12-14 21:42:42 +1100
  • martyn hiley
    signed 2015-12-14 21:29:32 +1100
    We are voluntarily try become a plastic bag free town. You can help😀
  • Christi Hutchison
    signed via 2015-12-14 20:41:23 +1100
  • Stephen Young
    signed 2015-12-14 20:10:47 +1100
  • ismene panaretos
    signed 2015-12-14 19:27:49 +1100
    not banning plastic bags is irresponsible and demonstrates a complete lack of respect for the natural environment
  • Kathryn Teakle
    signed 2015-12-14 18:33:12 +1100
  • Margaret Spira
    signed 2015-12-14 18:17:09 +1100
  • Robert Daley
    signed 2015-12-14 18:14:26 +1100
  • Shaina K
    signed 2015-12-14 18:06:11 +1100
  • Alex Selmes
    signed via 2015-12-14 16:54:54 +1100
    Once plastic bags are out, people will create new, healthier habits for the environment. They will learn to bring reusable bags with them.
  • hannah swinfield
    signed 2015-12-14 16:43:40 +1100
  • Kat Lowe
    posted about this on Facebook 2015-12-14 16:34:37 +1100
    Do eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetI just signed the open letter calling on Environment Ministers to ban single use plastic bags.
  • Kat Lowe
    signed 2015-12-14 16:34:15 +1100
  • Russell Boyd
    signed 2015-12-14 16:33:50 +1100
    Plastic bags are a lazy option to carry groceries, clothing, carparts, etc. By eradicating them not only will we be assisting the future for all people animals, but also, the most succesful retail company on the planet (Ikea) has never provided plastic bags! So we will help to bring struggling retailers back to profit also.
  • Monica Dure
    signed 2015-12-14 16:30:09 +1100
  • Lisa Smith
    signed via 2015-12-14 16:29:17 +1100
  • Sabina Rahman-horstmann
    signed 2015-12-14 16:28:49 +1100
  • Yvonne Jensen
    signed 2015-12-14 16:09:47 +1100
  • Mary Boerebach
    signed 2015-12-14 15:52:10 +1100
    Good Luck!
  • John Spira
    signed 2015-12-14 15:30:48 +1100
  • Amber Ament
    signed via 2015-12-14 15:23:14 +1100
  • Patricia MacHugh
    signed 2015-12-14 14:46:35 +1100
    It’s easy to live without plastic bags. They poison land fill and kill birds and animals.
  • Sarah Ackland
    signed 2015-12-14 14:24:30 +1100
  • Binafsha Chand
    signed 2015-12-14 14:18:11 +1100
  • Jenny Austen
    signed 2015-12-14 13:38:01 +1100
  • Olivia Date
    signed 2015-12-14 13:24:26 +1100