It’s the final straw: Huge support for Qld plastic ban
As the State Government prepares to introduce new laws outlawing a range of single use plastics, a new survey has revealed just how many Queenslanders support the move.
QLD News
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QUEENSLANDERS have overwhelmingly backed a State Government plan to ban single use plastics, like straws and throw-away cutlery, according to a recent government survey.
The Courier-Mail can reveal that of the almost 20,000 submissions made to the Government about its proposed plastic crackdown, more than 90 per cent indicated they were in favour of banning plastic straws, plates, cutlery and stirrers.
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said the Government was still on track to introduce legislation before the end of the year to mandate the sweeping changes.
She said many of the submissions suggested other single-use items also be banned, such as coffee cups, polystyrene cups, takeaway food containers and heavyweight plastic bags.
“While these are not being included at this time, the legislation allows for these types of products to be banned in the future after public consultation,” she said.
“It’s great to see that Queenslanders are so enthusiastic about reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment.
“There’s little doubt these sorts of plastics have the potential to damage the environment particularly through the litter stream, as they last a long time before breaking down.”
The Government went out to consultation on the plan in March this year and has previously committed to speaking with business and industry about the impact of the ban.
The crackdown would initially target plastic straws, cutlery, plates and stirrers.
The proposed changes would mean that they could not be sold at supermarkets and stores or distributed at restaurants.
Plastic straws or cutlery that come as part of a product – such as a straw with a juice box – are expected to be exempt from the ban, which is proposed to come into effect from July 1 next year.
The survey included other questions, such as if a July 1 start date would provide sufficient time to prepare for the ban, but the Government is yet to release those results.
Balloon sticks and plastic cups are also among the other single-use items that could be considered under a second phase plastic ban.
“There is a groundswell of community support to see better waste policies from governments, and the Palaszczuk Government has a strong track record in this space,” Ms Enoch said.
Originally published as It’s the final straw: Huge support for Qld plastic ban