We welcome today the unanimous passage of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Amendment Bill through the Queensland Parliament. The bill confirms a Plastic Bag Ban and Container Refund Scheme will be introduced into Queensland in July 2018.

The Plastic Bag Ban and Container Refund Scheme are the most significant litter and plastic pollution reduction measures introduced into Queensland in generations. As long as all retailers comply with the ban and a Worlds Best Practice Container scheme is introduced, we expect litter and plastic pollution could be halved.

With the introduction of these measures in July 2018, we are also urging the next state government to develop a 'Plastic Reduction Plan' for Queensland to address the other single use, disposable plastics that regularly litter and pollute our environment. Queensland is identified as a hotspot for marine debris, in particular plastics. Many communities are now taking action to reduce their plastic footprint and are looking to the next government to support their efforts.