Prahran Market could ban plastic bags

PRAHRAN Market shoppers could soon have to bring their own bags or pay for reusable ones as traders back a push to phase out plastic and introduce sustainable substitutes.

Plastic bags could be phased out at Prahran Market. File photo

SHOPPERS and Prahran Market traders are backing a push by Prahran state Greens MP Sam Hibbins to bin plastic bags and introduce environmentally-friendly alternatives.

Margery Welles, who owns the Paddlewheel fresh produce stall at Prahran Market, said she had already started replacing plastic bags with sustainable substitutes.

And Damian Pike, the market’s mushroom man, said he intended to make the switch once his current stock of plastic bags ran out.

“It would be great if people could bring back their (reusable) bags. The expense of packaging is astronomical. It’s a win, win situation for everyone I think,” Mr Pike said.

Shoppers will be surveyed about a possible plastic bag ban.

Ripe the Organic Grocer co-owner Paul Smith used to charge customers 20c for plastic bags as a way to discourage customers from using them and to raise money for charity.

His shop has since done away with plastic almost entirely but he said replacing the bags used for vegetables was a challenge because they kept the product fresh for longer.

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Greens MP Sam Hibbins said making the market plastic-free would create a good selling point for stall holders and the alternative packaging was cost effective.

“I think there’s a lot of momentum growing ... for banning the plastic bag,” he said.

“I know people in Prahran really value the environment. From a Prahran perspective the Yarra River is just so important to the Prahran community.”

Prahran state Greens MP Sam Hibbins says having a plastic-free market would be a good selling point. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

Mr Hibbins called on the market to survey traders and customers to gauge their support for a plastic bag ban, and he will host a forum later this month to discuss the issue.

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Prahran Market spokeswoman Stefanie Reilly said the market could not ban plastic bags without consent from traders.

“We are definitely happy to undertake a survey on this matter in the very near future,” she said.

“We’re confident that we’ll be able to work together to phase out these bags and we will have a strategy in place in the coming months.”

Shopper Mel Cooke said she wouldn’t mind paying a little extra to purchase a reusable bag.

And Thea Snow said people would be more likely to remember to bring their hessian bags to the market if plastic ones were not available.

“I’d totally support it (the ban),” Ms Snow said.

Mr Hibbins’s plastic bag forum will be held on August 6 from 1-2.30pm at the Grattan Gardens Community Centre in Prahran

For more information visit samhibbins.com/ban_the_bag_prahran_community_forum