News Details - Coastcare Australia
03-04-2008
NEW COASTCARE INITIATIVE WITH BORDERS SEES 70 PER CENT DROP IN THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS
A Coastcare initiative with Borders to tackle the growing problem of ocean and beach pollution caused by plastic bags has got off to a flying start with an average 70 per cent reduction in the number of customers taking a plastic bag when shopping with the bookseller.
The initiative, which was only launched at the beginning of February, is designed to reduce the number of plastic bags which end up polluting the land and the oceans, killing marine creatures.
Borders Managing Director John Campradt is amazed at the early success of the scheme.
“In the first stage of this initiative we were only expecting a 20 per cent reduction in the use of plastic bags instead of the average 70 per cent reduction we’ve been seeing,” he said.
“It just goes to show how concerned our customers are about the impact plastic bags have on the environment.”
Borders customers now have a number of choices when they purchase a product. They can choose not to have a bag or to purchase a re-useable Borders black enviro bag for $1 or a calico bag for $3.95.
Customers can still choose to have a plastic bag but they are charged 10 cents per plastic bag.
This money is donated to Coastcare and will be used to fund projects looking after marine animals injured by plastic and to assist groups in their work cleaning up and restoring the Australian coastline.Borders estimate that on some days up to 77 per cent of their customers are leaving their stores without a plastic bag and around 20 per cent are choosing to pay for the plastic bags.
Mr Campradt said: “It’s a win win situation for the environment. Not only are we seeing a great reduction in plastic bags but also we’re able to help fund Coastcare’s important work.”
Coastcare Chief Executive Brian Scarsbrick welcomes the support of Borders.
“There are over 2,000 Coastcare groups all around Australia and one of the major problems many of them face is having to deal with discarded plastic bags on our beaches and in the oceans,” he said.
“Our initiative with Borders will help these groups tackle the menace of these plastic bags which not only pollute the environment but also kill marine creatures.
“To give you an idea of the size of the problem on Clean Up Australia Day 2008 the Eco Divers Coastcare Group fished out almost 1,000 plastic bags from Sydney Harbour by Manly Ocean World.”
For more information please contact:
Sacha Dench, Coastcare: 0403 814 393 / Josy Shaw, Borders: (03) 8564 0608