Campaign to eliminate plastics bags and water bottles
Community groups are hoping to eliminate plastic bags and water bottles from the Bouddi Peninsula this summer.
The Killcare Wagstaffe Trust and the Wagstaffe to Killcare Community Association are beginning a campaign to reduce their use to as close to zero as possible.
Local retailers have agreed to participate.
"This is our community contribution to a wider movement that is already having a major impact," said Trust spokesman Mr David Legge.
"Several major retail chains have reduced or eliminated the use of plastic bags including Aldi, Woolworths and Bunnings," Mr Legge said.
"Other coastal communities have started similar campaigns such as Pacific Palms, Kangaroo Valley, Mogo, Oyster Bay and Huskisson," he said.
"South Australia, Northern Territory, and the ACT have banned thin single use plastic bags.
"France has gone a long way towards eliminating them altogether.
"Our aim is to encourage local residents to get into the habit of taking a re-usable bag when they go shopping.
"Leaving the empty bags by the front door is a good tactic as they are more likely to get to the car."
The two associations have funded the manufacture of 500 hessian bags and 1500 calico bags, so re-usable bags will be available at all local outlets.
The hessian bags will sell for $2 and the calico bags for $1 each.
"These prices are well below the cost of production," Mr Legge said.
Some free bags were given out at the campaign launch at Killcare on December 8.
"Every bit of plastic made is still around to day.
"Most end up in landfills but an increasing amount ends up in the oceans via our beaches, rivers and stormwater drains.
"Millions of tons of plastic enter the oceans every year.
"The larger pieces not only get mistaken for food but entangle turtles, seabirds, seals.
"Plastic breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces over time.
"These micro-plastics enter bottom of the food chain through the zooplankton and work their way up, contaminating every animal in the chain.
"Single use thin plastic bags are one of the most commonplace and wasteful types of plastic.
"Australians use 10 million disposable plastic bags every day.
"Eliminating their use would be a small but significant step towards minimising our plastic waste," Mr Legge said.
Media release, Dec 5, 2016
David Legge, Killcare Wagstaffe Trust