2017-01-16 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                         16 JANUARY 2017


There is currently significant confusion around these different types of bags and difficulty in
verifying compliance with the relevant Australian Standard (AS 4736 – 2006 - Biodegradable
plastics—Biodegradable plastics suitable for composting and other microbial treatment).
Recent international laws controlling plastic bags (including in the UK) have not exempted
biodegradable bags.

The ban will not apply to: barrier bags (typically fruit and vegetables and deli style bags without
handles), reusable bags, heavier-weight department store bags, bags that are integral to a
product’s packaging (e.g. bread bags) and kitchen tidy bags. The Queensland Government is
proposing to work with retailers on voluntary actions to reduce the use of heavier weight
‘department store’ bags.


Previous Council Consideration

In June 2016 Council adopted its ‘Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan 2016-2024’. Action item
2.1 of the Plan states “Continue to support community initiatives to reduce/ban plastic bags. Lobby
Queensland State Government to ban single use plastic bags.”


Finance & Risk

Nil.

Consultation

External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder

Council’s first Community Jury considered potential waste initiatives. One of the Jury’s nine
recommendations was to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags.

Internal Consultation

Nil

Departments/Sections Consulted:

 X     Chief Executive Officer                X   Community Services                 Corporate Services
       Executive Officer to the Mayor & CEO       Community Facilities               Financial Services
       Executive Support                          Community Development              ICT
                                                  Libraries & Galleries              Procurement & Fleet
                                                  Local Laws                         Property & Facilities
                                                  Waste & Environmental Health       Revenue Services

       Executive Office                           Planning & Infrastructure
       Community Engagement                       Building & Plumbing Services
       Customer Service                           Civil Operations
       Economic Development                       Disaster Management
       Governance                                 Infrastructure Planning & Design
       Human Resources                            Planning & Environment
       Sustainability                             Strategic Land Use Planning




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