Container refund scheme and plastic ban now official for Queensland!

Queenslanders can look forward to cleaner parks, beaches and public areas as the state now has a container refund scheme and a ban on plastic shopping bags ready to start next year.

Member for Murrumba Chris Whiting said the Waste Reduction and Recycling Amendment Bill 2017 introduces Queensland’s container refund scheme and plastic shopping bag ban which was passed by State Parliament.

“It’s clear that in Murrumba, there is overwhelming community support for both the refund scheme and the plastic bag ban which will both come into effect on July 1 2018,” said Chris Whiting.

“These initiatives will help stem the scourge of plastic shopping bags in our waterways, and put a price on beverage containers so they get recycled.

“I think the best advocates for these reforms are Queensland school children.

“Young Queenslanders in Murrumba have shown me they value our wildlife, especially our marine creatures like turtles, sea birds and dugongs.

“We say that we want our parks, our waterways, Moreton Bay and the Great Barrier Reef to be litter free,” he said.

The container refund scheme will see most drink containers between 150ml and 3 litres eligible for a 10 cent refund, although some containers such as containers for plain milk, wine and pure juice will be exempt.

Similarly, bans on lightweight single-use plastic shopping bags are already in place in other parts of the country including South Australia, the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

Chris Whiting said he applauded the initiative of retailers who were proactively banning the supply of lightweight plastic shopping bags in advance of the ban commencing on 1 July 2018.

“The State Government will continue to work closely with beverage manufacturers, retailers, local government, the waste and resource recovery industry, and the community on both proposals to ensure a smooth transition and operation of the container refund scheme and plastic bag ban,” Chris Whiting said.

More information on these initiatives is available online at www.ehp.qld.gov.au/waste.