Marrickville Council works together with retailers and customers to reduce plastic bags. This program is a collaborative project of Resource Recovery Services and The Watershed aimed to help minimise waste and improve our local environment.
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The Bagbusters program encourages plastic bag reduction through education and awareness. The Bagbusters team runs events to encourage shoppers to ‘Choose to Refuse’ plastic bags and to consider more environmentally friendly alternatives. Bagbusters also runs an advisory service which has assisted over 200 retailers in Marrickville Council to reduce plastic bags. Bagbusters supports and acknowledges retailers that have embraced sustainable changes.
Click here to download the BagBusters pamphlet (PDF, 1MB)
The Bagbusters project is supported by an enthusiastic and dedicated group of volunteers, based at Marrickville Council Works Depot, 15-17 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters. For more information, see this attachment.
Contact Us
If you would like to participate, or need more information about the Bagbusters project, please call the Citizens' Service Centre on 9335 2222 or send an e-mail to pbro@marrickville.nsw.gov.au.
A person's use of plastic may be counted in minutes - however long it takes to get the groceries from the shops to your homes.
These bags, however, last for hundreds of years in the environment.
Here are some facts and figures about plastic bags:
The shoppers of Marrickville use 24,600 plastic bags per day!
In the marine environment, plastic bag litter is lethal, killing at least 100,000 birds, whales and turtles every year.
On land, plastic bag litter can block drains and trap birds. It can also kill livestock.
At least 80 million plastic bags end up as litter on our beaches, streets and parks.
Plastic bags add an extra $850 million annually to retailers in Australia. Although plastic bags are ‘free of charge’, this price is built into the product cost. In Australia, the annual average cost per household for plastic shopping bags is estimated at $10-15 per year.
Plastic bags are manufactured from non-renewable resources - oil and gas.
Plastic bags take between 15 and 1,000 years to break down in the environment.
Plastic bags cannot be placed in your yellow lidded recycling bin as they are not recycled.
As a customer, how can I reduce my plastic shopping bags?
Reducing plastic bags is free and easy. Consider the following ways to reduce plastic bags:
Remember to Bring Your Own Bag! You can bring your own reusable calico bag, Green Bag, backpack, box or basket from home.
Pack at least 8 items in each bag.
Avoid double-bagging heavy items.
Refuse plastic bags when you buy 3 items or less.
Encourage your local shops to supply reusable bags, and support retailers who are dedicated to reducing plastic bags.
What can my business do to reduce plastic bags?
Looking for simple ways to reduce plastic bags and save money in your business? The Bagbusters: Tips for Businesses sheet demonstrates effective ways to reduce plastic bags.
Financial Savings Australian businesses can save $173 million a year by not giving 'free' plastic bags to customers.
Customer Loyalty & Public Image Most customers now prefer plastic bag alternatives because they care about protecting the environment and this means they want to shop at retailers who are doing their bit to help the environment too.
Advertising Opportunities Many small businesses are now selling their own plastic bag alternatives at a profit and advertising their business on their bags at the same time. You can also create some great local public relations by contacting your local newspaper and radio station to let them know that you are taking action to reduce the billions of plastic check-out bags used by Australians every year.
I always forget to bring back my bags. How can I remember them?
“I keep a few bags in the car all the time so I can grab them on the way into the store.” -Lisa
“I keep bags in a number of places – in the car; in my handbag; in the kitchen, so I’m never without one!” -Kalina
“Put your car keys inside the calico bags, so you wont forget either as you walk out the door.” -Celine
“I keep a small foldable bag in my backpack, purse or pocket for impulse shopping.” -Tisha
Check out the Bagbusters case studies of local plastic bag free business:
Financial Savings