2017-01-16 GC - Attachment 1 to Item 8 - Plastic Bag Discussion Paper

Have your say
Your feedback on how the government should go about implementing a plastic bag ban is sought. The government is also interested in your
views on voluntary measures that could be introduced to reduce the use of the heavier department store plastic bags.
A carefully-planned transition period is required before the ban comes into force on 1 July 2018. This transitional period will mean that:
»» retailers will have time to adjust their operations and practices and source alternatives to plastic bags
»» consumers will have time to purchase reusable bags and know when they will no longer be provided with a single-use plastic bag
»» new business opportunities can be identified and developed
»» a public awareness program on the new arrangements can be delivered well before the changes take effect.


Consultation questions
What implementation issues should the government take into consideration when introducing the ban?
1.   Do you think that 1 July 2018 allows enough time for consumers and retailers to transition to plastic bag alternatives? Why/why not?
2.   Do you agree that biodegradable bags should be included in a ban? Why/why not?
3.   Do you support the Queensland Government working with other states and territories to encourage industry to reduce the number of
     heavier-weight plastic department store bags? Why/why not?
4.   What else can be done by the Queensland Government to address plastic pollution?


Make a submission
Submissions are encouraged from interested parties including members of the public, environment and community groups, local councils,
and retailers and retail associations.
You can provide your feedback on the consultation questions by:
»» completing the online survey at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au, or
»» emailing a written submission to [email protected]
»» posting a written submission to:
   Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
   ATTN: Waste Policy and Legislation
   GPO Box 2454
   Brisbane QLD 4001

Submissions close 5pm 27 February 2017.




Important note about confidentiality
In the interests of transparency and to promote informed discussion, the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection would prefer submissions to be
made publicly available where this is reasonable to do so. However, if a person making a submission does not want that submission to be published publicly,
that person should indicate that the document (or any part of the document) is confidential. Confidentiality should be clearly noted on the front page of the
submission and the relevant sections of the submission should be marked as confidential, so that the remainder of the document (where applicable) can be
published. In this circumstance, it would be appreciated if two versions of the submissions could be provided (i.e. the complete version and a version excising
the confidential information).
While the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection will endeavour to identify and protect material claimed as confidential as well as exempt
information and information disclosure which would be contrary to the public interest (within the meaning of the Right to Information Act 2009), it cannot
guarantee that submissions will not be made publicly available. There is a possibility that the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection may be
required to reveal confidential information as a result of a right to information request.




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