Clean Up Australia Ltd
ACN 003 884 991 ABN 93 003 884 991
PO Box R725, Royal Exchange NSW 1225
telephone (02) 8197 3400 facsimile (02) 9251 6249
Media Release
28 October, 2010
ACT to ban ‘serial killer’ plastic bags
Clean Up Australia has welcomed the ACT’s
decision to ban single use
lightweight plastic bags from the middle of 2011.
Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan AO said, “We congratulate the ACT
Minister for the Environment Simon Corbell
and his team for their vision in
addressing this serious environmental and sustainability issue.
“Plastic bags are lightweight and water resistant, and often end up being
blown into our waterways and bush where they harm or kill our wildlife.
“Once a bag is ingested the animal dies and releases the bag back into the
environment to kill again – they’re serial killers.
“We’re currently in a crazy situation where it is estimated that Australians
throw away over 7,000 recyclable plastic bags a minute, with 429,000
recyclable single use plastic bags dumped into landfill every hour.
“It’s high time that the rest of the State governments followed the leadership of
SA,
NT’s and now the ACT by introducing a ban on single use singlet style
plastic bags, and supporting other commonsense environmentally friendly
policies such as a system for bottle and can refunds” Mr Kiernan said.
-ends-
To arrange an interview with Ian Kiernan AO please contact:
Marita Dortins Tel: 0415 385 056 marita@cleanup.com.au
NEWS 
