An independent review has found that the ACT’s single-use plastic bag ban has produced significant environmental benefits.
The ban is also strongly backed by the Canberra community, the review found.
Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, Kate Auty undertook the review, finding that the ACT’s 2011 ban had made a marked impact on the consumption of single-use plastic bags.
Professor Auty’s review found that in the past year alone, the ban had reduced plastic bag use by more than 55 million bags.
“The ACT has been able to reduce plastic bag consumption by 60 per cent, or 1,131 tonnes, between 2011 and 2018,” Professor Auty said.
“There is strong community support for our plastic bag ban, with 68 per cent of survey respondents declaring their support and 64 per cent declaring they support further reduction measures.”
She said 69 per cent of respondents said they believed the ban had a positive impact on the environment.
The review made four key recommendations: Introduction of a mandatory plastic bag disclosure regime; Introduction of mandatory minimum plastic bag pricing; Improved and streamlined governance arrangements within Agencies; and Further research into biodegradable and compostable plastics.
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury said it was troubling the review found that, with Canberra’s growing population, consumption levels were slowly returning to pre-ban levels and might do so by the early 2020s unless further measures were introduced.
“However, I am confident that the ACT can continue to lead the country in reforming how we use plastics,” Mr Rattenbury said.
The Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment’s online summary of the report can be accessed at this PS News link.
