Ban the bag
Sustainable Neighbourhood groups identify waste and littering as major issues that they would like to address.

A major focus of our efforts in this area has been to support the national campaign for a ban on plastic bags, and continue to raise awareness and work towards solutions for plastic pollution issues in general.
Plastic bag free!
The Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance has formulated a campaign strategy to focus on plastic bags.
The details of the strategy are available here:
proposal_and_background_paper.pdf
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What next?
  • Sharing resources.  We are a formal ally of the Boomerang Alliance, and work with them to coordinate our actions with the national network.
 
  • Advocacy.  We have made contact with local Members of Parliament to determine their current position and urge them to take action at a state and federal government level.
 
  • Engagement and education.  We are developing an educational display to demonstrate the impacts of plastic bags on our wildlife and environment, along with supporting materials and reusable bag giveaways.
   
  • Letters to Minister Speakman.  At the 2016 Living Smart Festival in September, we collected 300 letters to the Minister, urging him to take action now on plastic pollution.
How can you help?
  • Set up a Bag Swap Station. Help your local supermarkets become plastic bag free.

  • Lead by example.  Say 'No, thanks' to plastic shopping bags.  Remember to bring your reusable bags to the shops.  Leaving them near the front door or with your keys and keeping them in your car might help you remember.  Plastic Bag Free NSW has some great resources available, including a reminder to hang on your door.

  • Make your own reusable bags.  The Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood held a workshop to help people make their own bags.  Your group could do something similar.

  • Help make Boomerang Bags. Boomerang Bags are sewn by the community from reclaimed fabric, and then distributed for use in the community.

  • Send a letter to Minister Upton.  You could use this letter template developed by the Boomerang Alliance.
 
  • Start something.  Do you have an idea that could help educate or support our community to reduce consumption of single use plastics?  Boomerang Bags? Working with local retailers?  Holding a Plastic Bag Free Day?  Let us know and maybe we can help get it off the ground.
 
  • Plastic Free July.  This movement addresses more than just plastic bags.  Check out their facebook page for tips to achieve a plastic free lifestyle.
 
  • Clean Up.  Help clean up the plastic bags and other litter that have already made their way into our environment.  Your group could organise an Eco Angel Clean Up at a favourite local spot that is in need of some community love.