Container Refund Scheme & Plastic Bag Ban Starting Soon

Queenslanders can look forward to cleaner parks, beaches and public areas as the state has a Container Refund Scheme, and a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags rolling out for a start on 1 July 2018!

I was pleased to support Steven Miles, Minister for the Environment and Heritage Protection’s Waster Reduction and Recycling Amendment Bill which introduced the container refund scheme and plastic shopping which was passed by Queensland Parliament in September.

Locals have made it clear to me that there is overwhelming support for both the refund scheme and the plastic bag ban.

These initiatives will help stem the scourge of plastic shopping bags, and put a price on drink containers, so that they get recycled.

I think that the best advocates for these reforms are Queensland school children. They have shown me how much they value our wildlife, especially marine creatures like turtles, dugongs and sea birds.

The container refund scheme will see most drink containers, between 150ml and 3L eligible for a .10c refund, although some containers will be exempt.

Bans on light-weight single use plastic bags are already in place in other parts of the country, including South Australia, Tasmania as well as the ACT and NT.

I am pleased to see that some retailers are already phasing out single-use bags ahead of the introduction of the ban on 1 July 2018.

The Palaszczuk Government will continue to work closely with drink manufacturers, retailers, local government, industry stakeholders and the community to ensure a smooth transition and operation of the container refund scheme and plastic ban ban.

If you would like to find out more about these initiatives please visit: http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/waste

Or contact my office on: 3448-2100 or email: mailto:Murrumba@parliament.qld.gov.au