Banning plastic bags is not such a simple thing

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALISE THAT BANNING PLASTIC BAGS IS NOT A SIMPLE THING . . . LAWS AND REGULATIONS CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH. IN THE END, IT WILL TAKE A CHANGE IN BEHAVIOUR TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Plastic bag bans are on the way — and it is time we all thought more seriously not just about our shopping habits, but also our use of plastic in general.

Queensland and Western Australia will ban singleuse plastic bags from July 1, bringing the states into line with the ACT, South Australia and Tasmania.

NSW is the only state so far to have no plastic bag policy.

Victoria announced plans in October last year to phase out most lightweight plastic bags this year, but has so far set no specific date.

Now that supermarket giant Woolworths Group says it will push forward the date of phasing out the bags to June 20 — isn’t it time the Andrews Government bit the bullet and set a date?

The push is also on to ban all single-use plastics such as cutlery, straws and plates.

However, it is important to realise that banning plastic bags is not a simple thing.

If we simply replace single-use plastic bags with heavy-duty plastic bags, it can actually make the situation worse.

Heavy duty plastic takes longer to break down and would also contribute to the microplastic problem in the oceans.

Cotton bags hold more items and can be used repeatedly. They also biodegrade, rather than breaking down into harmful pollutants.

But cotton uses water and a lot of energy to produce — so everything has a price.

Nevertheless, it does seem to be the general consensus that cotton, multiple-use bags are the best solution to our plastic woes.

But laws and regulations can only do so much.

In the end, it will take a change in behaviour to make a real difference to the environment.

Not using the free and throwaway plastic bag means we all have to take responsibility for planning our shopping trips.

We will have to make better choices when purchasing products with plastic packaging.

We will have to learn to refuse throwaway plastic straws and cutlery

Editorial fdrom today's Shepparton News.