The Australian Retailers Association has said that it will fight a proposed bill that would charge consumers for plastic bags used at checkout.
The levy, which would be the equivalent of about 14 cents (US), is similar to one already imposed in Ireland, which retailers there believe has had a significant impact on plastic recycling.
The association calls the proposed levy a “simplistic, knee-jerk reaction” that won’t support sustainable development. However, one survey suggests that 80 percent of Australian citizens think the levy is a good idea.
The levy, which would be the equivalent of about 14 cents (US), is similar to one already imposed in Ireland, which retailers there believe has had a significant impact on plastic recycling.
The association calls the proposed levy a “simplistic, knee-jerk reaction” that won’t support sustainable development. However, one survey suggests that 80 percent of Australian citizens think the levy is a good idea.
- KC's View:
- We happen to think that anything that would get people to stop using disposable bags, and start using cloth or canvas bags that won’t add to the nation’s litter problem, is an excellent idea. It hasn’t been proposed here yet…but we suspect it isn’t that far down the road.
