With Woolworths already ditching single use plastic bags, Mandurah residents are urged to prepare for an updated shopping experience.
From July 1 single use plastic bags will no longer be on offer for shoppers in Western Australia. The move has already sparked bans at grocery giant Woolworths and local IGA stores.
Member for Mandurah David Templeman today joined Mandurah Primary School to launch their plastic bag exchange program.
The program, aimed at educating children on dangers of excessive plastic use, operates a bag exchange where families receive five free recycled shopping bags when they bring in plastic bags.
The end goal is to fill an entire classroom with plastic bags.
Mr Templeman welcomed the project.
"These initiatives reflect the community's desire to work together to reduce the significant impact of plastic bags and other waste and litter on our environment," he said.
Western Australians are also being urged to help beat plastic pollution by cutting back on single use plastic during July.
The Plastic Free July movement was born in Perth seven years ago with 40 people taking up the challenge.
Last year, more than two million people in 159 countries pledged to ditch single-use plastic during July. In WA alone, 11 per cent of the State's population took the Plastic Free July challenge in 2017 - saving 10,400 tonnes of plastic household waste from landfill.
"The Wasteless Pantry shows that it's possible to source food locally and sustainably, and to eliminate disposable packaging. Small daily actions add up to make a big impact," Mr Templeman said.
"The ban on lightweight plastic bags is just one of a number of strategic waste reforms showing this Government's commitment to reducing waste, which includes a commitment to a container deposit scheme."
In a similar move Member for Dawesville Zak Kirkup is also combatting the plastic bag ban by handing out free reusable grocery bags across Mandurah.
For next 10 days, volunteers will be out at shopping centres across Mandurah handing out these great reusable bags ahead of the plastic bag ban. If you miss them, hit me up on Twitter or drop into my office in Falcon to grab one. pic.twitter.com/hGWA7c8heK
— Zak Kirkup MP (@zrfk) June 20, 2018
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