Legislation banning the use of plastic bags was passed in South Australia on Thursday. The Government has a good website with all the details. This makes it easier for retailers to deal with this complex issue. Acting on a law is far easier than a voluntary situation. We have tried a couple of times to charge for bags or eliminate them altogether and each time our customers complained – they like plastic bags, especially for newspapers.
Especially in this the United Nations Year of Natural Fibres (see here http://www.alburyenvirobags.com.au/jute2009.php) politicians and environmentalists should be supporting the use of natural fibre bags such as jute bags and organic cotton bags. Why is it that these natural fibre bags, and the Year of Natural Fibres, have such a low profile amongst politicians and environmentalists?