Australian gov’t aims to ditch plastic bags by year end

SYDNEY (AFP) – Australia’s government said Thursday it hoped to phase out the use of plastic bags from the nation’s shopping centres by the end of the year.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett said billions of bags were being thrown away every year, causing pollution and harming native wildlife.


“There are some four billion of these plastic bags floating around the place, getting into landfill, ending up affecting our wildlife, and showing up on our beaches while we are on holidays,” Garrett told Sky News Australia.

“I think most Australians would like to see them rid. We think it’s absolutely critical that we get cracking on it.”

AFP