2019-11-20
‘Borrow a bag’ schemes are popping up around Canberra’s supermarkets and local shopping centres – a scheme that could be rolled out across Canberra with a little help from retailers.
The ‘bag stations’ allow shopping centre customers to either leave or take reusable bags for their shopping. People simply go to the bag station, hang up a bag on one of the hooks, or take a bag.
“At a time when more Canberrans are doing their bit in the ‘War on Waste’, this is an easy way to help more Canberrans cut down on single-use plastic,” ACT Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur said today.
“Many local shops across Canberra have already implemented this system, including at Ainslie, Cook, Hackett, and Woden,” Ms Le Couteur said.
“There’s nothing more annoying than heading out for your weekly grocery shop, only to realise you've left your reusable bags at home.
“Schemes like this are a great way to reduce waste, and for members of the community to help each other out.”
Last month the ACT Greens called on the ACT Government to commit to banning a range of single-use plastics by 2022, and to plan for an orderly transition to a single-use plastic-free future.
As part of the ACT Climate Change Strategy 2019-2025, the Greens are also committed to diverting more waste from landfill.