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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 13 Hansard (26 November) . . Page.. 4767 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

a marine environment or will not degrade quickly enough to prevent killing marine animals, which is one of the biggest environmental impacts associated with plastic bags.

Additionally, the degradation process for the bags often results in lots of small pieces-and we have all seen this; hundreds of small pieces-of plastic that can persist in the environment and can release toxic substances. The Plastic Bags Working Group has also looked at issues associated with the recycling of plastic bags as part of the development of these national initiatives.

The lightweight, high-volume nature of plastic bags makes inclusion of this material in kerbside services uneconomical and problematical, as the bags easily contaminate the paper recycling stream. Dedicated collections, such as those at retail outlets-those currently provided in the ACT at every Coles and every Woolworths-are regarded by everybody in the industry, including those within the waste disposal industry, as the best way to recycle plastic bags. The bags collected from these locations are sent for recycling, along with other soft film plastics such as shrink wrapping used to pack many bulk grocery items. (Extension of time granted.)

There is a real concern that, if degradable plastics find their way into current recycling systems, the integrity of the product will be jeopardised. The effect on other recycled materials would be significant if the overall quality of the recycled product is perceived to be substandard.

A study on the impacts of introducing degradable plastic bags in Australia was conducted as part of the ongoing work associated with the development of appropriate options for plastic bag management. The study has only just been completed-in fact, in September-and it is available on the Department of Environment and Heritage website. I do not think Mrs Dunne has read it yet.

ACT NOWaste has previously worked closely with retailers to reduce the use of plastic bags in the ACT. One such trial was the ReBaG trial in 1999. At the same time, a trial was conducted by Coles with reusable paper bags. These trials had some success but could not compete with the "free"plastic bags. Currently, as part of the implementation of the national initiative under the retailers code of practice, Coles supermarkets are selling alternative reusable green bags and calico bags, and Woolworths is selling alternative calico bags and has placed "Every bag counts"signage on most checkouts.

In terms of the development of national initiatives for the management of plastic bags, the ACT is currently taking the lead in the development of national guidelines for litter and waste management associated with plastic bags. It is acknowledged by every other jurisdiction that we are doing that. We are taking the lead on this issue. The work includes waste management guidelines for landfill sites as well as other disposal sites such as litter bins.

Following on from the work conducted on the impact of introducing degradable plastic bags in Australia, which, as I say, was completed in September, an Australian standard for degradable bags is being considered. Standards will be developed in consultation with all stakeholders that match the potential application areas and disposal environments in Australia.

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