Environment minister says shoppers should bring their own containers to the supermarket – but doesn’t want a plastic bag ban because poor people are paying too much
- Sussan Ley says shoppers should use their own containers at supermarket delis
- She says charging for plastic bags isn’t doing enough to combat plastic waste
- Ms Ley said her main focus would be establishing container refund schemes
Environment Minister Sussan Ley has said customers should start bringing their own Tupperware containers to use at supermarket delis in order to combat plastic waste.
The Cabinet minister is calling for other shops to step it up, and claims charging for reusable plastic bags isn’t enough.
Ms Ley told Sky News some shoppers are already starting to use their own containers at supermarket delis.
‘These changes are happening with the support of customers… they’re stepping up to do this with us, they want to see a government that supports their intent to recycle and reuse and recover,’ she said.
The Environment Minister says customers should bring their own containers to the supermarket to use at the deli in a bid to combat plastic waste
She said her priority would be establishing container refund schemes and cleaning up our waterways.
Ms Ley said the impact of individual Australians reducing their use of plastic can’t be overlooked, and admitted global problems can be ‘overwhelming’ to think about.
‘I do want to bring protecting the environment back to the individual level,’ she said.
‘Yes the planet is warming, yes there are issues that we have to deal with in my space – threatened species, of course the Great Barrier Reef, renewable energy – there are big issues, but ultimately there are lots of things individuals can do.’
Ms Ley acknowledged that she doesn’t want to see plastic ‘bans,’ but said consumers are starting to bring their own bags rather than paying for fresh ones.
‘I don’t want to see people on low incomes feeling unable to afford to carry their groceries out, to pay for plastic bags… So it’s really important to get this right,’ she said.
Ms Ley and the New South Wales Government will work to turn at least 80 percent of recyclable plastics into new items.
‘The rubbish that you put in your kerb side waste today, might be in the roads you drive on tomorrow, the furniture you sit on in an outdoor park, the coffee cup you’re using, the floor tiles (or) railway sleepers’.
Sussan Ley said the impact of individual Australians reducing their use of plastic can’t be overlooked, and will work with the NSW Government to turn at least 80 percent of recyclable plastics into new items