Coles Bay celebrates 10 years since nation-leading plastic bag ban

The Tasmanian Greens today joined the Coles Bay community at a celebration to mark ten years since Coles Bay became the first town in Australia to ban lightweight, non-biodegradable plastic bags.

Greens Environment spokesperson, Cassy O’Connor MP, said Coles Bay showed leadership at a time when plastic shopping bags were not on the legislative radar.

“Since Ben Kearney and his community at Coles Bay recognised the significant environmental harm caused by plastic shopping bags and refused to have them in the town, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the A.C.T. have legislated to ban plastic shopping bags,” Ms O’Connor said.

“In Tasmania, the Plastic Shopping Bag Ban Bill 2013 passed the House of Assembly with tripartite support ten days ago.”

“If passed by the Legislative Council, the ban will come into effect on 1 November this year.”

“Our towns and cities will be clear of this urban tumbleweed, there will be millions fewer plastic bags going into landfill and our waterways, providing some protection for marine life which suffers terribly the consequences of plastic pollution.”

“It all began in Coles Bay a decade ago.”