Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomes Queensland government proposal to ban single-use plastics

Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has welcomed the Queensland Government’s proposed plan to ban single-use plastics such as plastic straws, plates and cutlery. These plastic items will be among those banned under new legislation to be introduced next year following widespread community consultation, with plans to potentially extend the ban later to include heavyweight shopping bags, plastic cups and coffee cups.

AMCS spokesperson Shane Cucow notes “to save turtles and seabirds from choking on the plastic flowing into our oceans, we must stop it at the source. Getting the most dangerous plastics out of our supply chain is the solution.

“We are pleased to see the Queensland government step up as a leader by joining South Australia’s commitment to legislate against certain single-use plastics in 2020, and we would urge the rest of Australia to act urgently.

“Australians deserve clean, healthy oceans full of life – it’s good for our beaches and sea life, for our health and for our huge tourism industry. Today’s announcement is especially good news for Queensland’s beautiful beaches and seas.”

Cucow added that AMCS is part of the Boomerang Alliance and joins their calls for the ban on all identified products to be urgently enacted within the next 12 months to start saving our wildlife.