The Queensland Government this week announced that they are considering banning plastic bags and other problematic packaging. The decision comes on top of their statement last month that they would investigate a cash for containers scheme for Queensland.
Steven Miles, Queensland Environment Minister made the announcement at a media conference on the Queens Birthday long weekend and World Oceans Day. As the representative of Boomerang Alliance and Wildlife Queensland, he invited me to attend the announcement and back his plans. Naturally I was very happy to do so.
With increasing evidence of the significant environmental impacts, we now have a huge opportunity in Queensland to have both unnecessary plastic packaging phased out and beverage containers subject to a redeemable deposit! And create hundreds of new jobs.
If you want to know more, a new report by Boomerang Alliance documents Queensland as the most littered state in Australia, with litter rates 40% higher than the national average and only 18% of plastic bottles recycled. The report, 'Queensland's Plastic Pollution Crisis, container deposit and other solutions' examines the sources and rate of litter, micro plastics and impacts on marine life and solutions.
Boomerang Alliance is also hosting a Marine Pollution and Container Deposits and Plastics Summit for key stakeholders in Brisbane on 24 June.
Thanks for all your support. We are winning and we are making a difference.
Toby Hutcheon,
Queensland Manager
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