More than 25 Port Douglas businesses, community leaders and individuals have wholly endorsed the launch of Plastic Free Douglas which aims to reduce the number of disposable plastic bags which end up as litter and landfill.

And this support was clearly evident last night when more than 100 people attended the launch at The Clink Theatre, which included Mayor Julia Leu, and all four members of council.

“I am both encouraged and moved by this incredible turnout and this says a lot for what this Shire is all about,” said Mayor Leu.

“This is an outstanding cause and although there is a long road ahead and lots of work needs to be done, the more businesses who adopt a plastic free policy will encourage others to follow.

“If we all work together, we will be able to achieve a lot more,” she said.Only four states – South Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and the ACT – are plastic bag free and a major objective of the Plastic Free Douglas committee is to follow the aforementioned. When the policy was introduced in Adelaide, for example, it was immediately endorsed and without any fuss.

Australians dispose of four million bags a year; the average bag is used for 12 minutes but takes 1,000 years to break up. Plastic bags in the environment are detrimental to birds, marine animals and ecosystems, as well as human health and the economy.

See also: <link bag-it-in-plastic.12764.0.html>www.newsport.com.au/Bag-it-in-plastic.12764.0.html

Plastic Free Douglas committee member Carolyn Tooley has called on retailers to lead by example by promoting alternatives to plastic shopping bags; and for individuals to join the growing number of Australians who avoid disposable plastic bags by bringing their own reusable bag or basket.

“We are promoting July as plastic-free month and we hope many support this campaign,” she said.The major supporters behind this venture are Douglas Shire Sustainability Group, Cairns and Far North Environmental Centre, Low Isles Preservation Society, Douglas Shire Council, Bendigo Bank and Tangaroa Blue.  

To register with Plastic Free Douglas and commit to Plastic Bag Free July, you can contact Lisa Golding at Douglas Shire Council: 07 4099 9444; or e-mail CEOUnit@douglas.qld.gov.au