Read the latest news and updates about retail bags - sustainability, legislation, community groups and more!
The first plastic was invented in 1907 by Leo Hendrik Baekeland, and was introduced to the world in 1909 at a Chemical Conference. Since then we have been making everything we can out of plastic. Telephones, jewelry, engine parts, cups, bottles, electronics, cases, TV’s, bags and the list goes on. While the ability to create plastic has advanced our ability to make wonderful products and allowed many innovations in all areas of life it has come at a major cost. Plastic is one of the biggest polluters in our world, here are the facts: Australians used 3.9 Billion plastic shopping bags in 2007; 2.96 Billion of these came from Supermarkets. Out of these numbers 50 to 80 Million bags ended up as little in our environment. Nearly half a million bags are collected at every “Clean up Australia Day”. We may all think that we are doing our part by reusing them as garbage bags, but this only moves the problem from one place to another. Plastic bags that are used at Supermarkets and Convenience stores are made from HDPE (or High-density Polyethylene) which is made from petroleum. With the amount of fuel used to create the bags consumed in 2007, we could drive 1 car around Australia 1665 times. So next time you go to the supermarket think of what it is really costing you, and what it is costing the world. Speak to your Store manager about reusable or biodegradable bags. Bring back your own bags the next time around and always refuse a bag when only purchasing a few items. We have to take make this world a better place one green step at a time.
The Northern Territory and Western Australian Governments are making the move to ban plastic bags for good!
WA: Plastic shopping bags would be banned in WA under a plan to be tabled when parliament resumes in Perth in February. Opposition environment spokeswoman Sally Talbot announced she would introduce a private member’s bill to ban plastic shopping bags, of which it is estimated some 400 million are used in the state each year. “Several WA councils and communities including Albany and Fremantle have moved to eliminate plastic bag use and there is wide support for a ban from all round Western Australia” she said. Read more here.
NT: The Territory Government has announced the long-awaited climate change policy which is more than 10 months overdue. The policy is expected to include the phasing out of single-use plastic shopping bags to encourage shoppers to use re-usable bags. “We’ll be introducing legislation in 2010 to ban plastic bags into the Territory” says NT Chief Minister, Paul Henderson. “This is about reducing landfill and certainly complementing what we will be doing in a cash-for-containers scheme in 2011. It’s about everybody playing their part and certainly I’m going to have to change my shopping habits”. Read more here.
Check out this new cool product – the 'My Bag'. My Bag is an innovative bag designed for personal or emergencies use, pop it in your hand bag, leave it in your car, take it to your next picnic, why not custom brand it and give it out at your next event or festival?
Simple, easy to use and keeps your rubbish tidy - Just grab both ends and pull and out pops a bag with a drawstring! It is made from a blended of renewable resources and traditional materials, therefore, has lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to normal polyethylene bags. It's fully recyclable, colourable and printable - it can be customised for any promotion! Give us a call for further info ...
Sample Trolley Key with custom engraving.
There is nothing more annoying than getting to the trolley line only to find out you don't have a $2 coin!
Trolley key replaces the frustration and the $2 coin. As seen in photos below the Trolley Key can be branded to include your shop name, logo and message to ensure your company is top of mind on consumers mind when they are shopping.
The Trolley Key is a high quality and durable metal key ring, it's perfect for a 'Gift With Purchase' promotion or new store launch.
Call our friendly team on 1300 Chilli to find out more!
Click here to read the outcome of the Victorian Governments Plastic Bag trial.
Do your bit for the environment! Don’t forget the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!
ResourceSmart is a new website for Victorians, where we take the hard work out of shrinking your impact on climate change. It's where you'll find a range of rebates, solutions and information to help you cut your greenhouse pollution.
We should all take notice of this country town in NSW! Bundanoon votes to ban bottled water to help reduce landfill and their carbon footprint, and as a result the council have installed numerous free water fountains.
Read this inspirational story here.
Plastic bag bans will be imposed at every Target store in Australia from Monday.
Further information can be viewed here.
83% of Australians want to see a nationwide ban on non-biodegradable bags according to a recent survey. 'Do something!' Founder and Chairman, and Co-Founder of Planet Ark, Jon Dee, discusses the Government hold up actioning this finding.
Take me to the article.
Target is leading the large retailers and decides to ban plastic bags. The change will apply to all of the 283 Target and Target Country stores across Australia from 1 June.
Click here to read more.
