Boomerang Alliance Newsletter - June 2018
TASMANIA INVESTIGATING A CDS
During the recent Tasmanian election, Boomerang Alliance joined forces with Scouts Tasmania to call for a container deposit scheme for the Apple Isle. As a result, the new government has confirmed its investigation into the best scheme for Tasmania and will release their information shortly. Watch this space.
IPSWICH COUNCIL BACKTRACKS ON RECYCLING THREAT
After initially announcing the end to kerbside collections, Ipswich Council doubled back on their decision following intense community backlash. Boomerang Alliance spoke at a community meeting in which the Ipswich Mayor was given a very clear message that residents not only wanted a recycling scheme but a Zero Waste Strategy for their community.
WASTE TO ENERGY
Following the ban on contaminated plastics by China, many local government have been struggling to find new markets for their plastic recyclables. Some have suggested waste to energy as a solution. This is a very dangerous and backward suggestion. Boomerang Alliance has produced a Waste to Energy paper to outline our views.
In the paper, we outline that mixed waste incineration undermines recycling, generates more toxic and GHG emissions than burning coal, produces a toxic residue that requires specialised storage, is twice as expensive as recycling and will face massive community opposition.
QLD AND WA PLASTIC BAG BAN - 1 JULY 2018
The next states to ban lightweight plastic bags, Queensland and WA are gearing up to implement legislation with both states also prohibiting degradable bags.
However differences will apply. QLD has banned biodegradable and compostable bags while the jury is still out in WA. The QLD Government has also warned that if retailers provide slightly thicker bags then the regulations will be changed to include these. Meanwhile WA will permit the thicker alternatives.
BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL BANS HELIUM BALLOONS
In April, Brisbane announced a ban on plastic straws, water bottles and the release of helium balloons at their events. The 800,000 residents of Brisbane will now get a clear message about the dangers of helium balloons. What many don’t know is the fact that their release is a littering offence under QLD law. Boomerang Alliance and Wildlife QLD are working on a state ban.