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

Overview
This discussion paper seeks feedback on the Queensland Government’s decision to introduce a ban on
the supply of lightweight single-use supermarket-style plastic shopping bags to consumers. The paper
also seeks to start a discussion around the options for voluntary action to reduce the use of heavier-
weight ‘department store’ plastic bags.

The concern
»» Approximately 900 million single-use lightweight plastic bags       »» When plastic bags break down in micro-pieces, the chemical
   are used in Queensland each year.                                      additives and plastic compounds are able to more easily enter
»» The majority of these bags end up in landfill; however around 2        food chains creating cumulative risks
   per cent of the bags are littered—which means up to 16 million         for animals and humans.
   bags entering the environment in Queensland each year.              »» Research is also indicating that the Great Barrier Reef is suffering
»» Although they represent only a small proportion of the litter          from the impacts of plastic litter pollution.
   stream, plastic bags are a highly conspicuous source of plastic     »» Apart from discarded fishing gear, plastic bags are the most
   pollution that can be avoided.                                         dangerous item of marine debris in terms of potential for wildlife
»» Recent CSIRO research has shown that plastic pollution in              to become entangled in or ingest the bags.
   coastal waterways is killing and seriously impacting on marine      »» When they are littered, plastic bags also significantly impact on
   wildlife, notably endangered leatherback turtles, vulnerable           the visual amenity of an area.
   green turtles and seabird chicks.                                   »» Restricting the number of plastic bags is part of work in Australia
»» The research notes that some marine turtles will preferentially        and internationally to reduce the total plastic load in the
   eat plastic bags.                                                      environment.




                        International and national responses
                        »» Governments in Australia and around the world have taken action to reduce plastic bag pollution.
                        »» International and national policy measures to date have tended to focus on lightweight ‘supermarket’ shopping
                           bags as these account for the bulk of bag usage and littering.
                        »» Between 2003 and 2005, major Australian supermarkets voluntarily reduced the use of lightweight plastic
                           shopping bags by around 44 per cent. However, by 2007 numbers were rising and approaching four billion.
                        »» Since the end of the national voluntary Code in 2005, there has been no successful co-ordinated national
                           approach to restricting the supply of plastic bags.
                        »» South Australia, the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania have all introduced
                           legislated bans on the supply of lightweight plastic shopping bags, with exemptions for biodegradable bags.


                        Queensland’s response
                        »» The Queensland Government has decided to introduce a legislated ban on the lightweight supermarket-style
                           plastic shopping bags which make up the bulk of plastic bag use.
                        »» At the same time the government wants to lead national action to work with department stores on voluntary
                           initiatives to reduce the use of the heavier plastic bags.


                        Your views
                        »» 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.
                        »» Go to page 17 to Have your say.




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