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Retailers ask Ministers to use consensus not compliance in battle against plastic bag litter

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has requested the Ministers at the Environment Protection and Heritage Council meeting tomorrow consider consensus with all industry stakeholders as opposed to the heavy hand of compliance legislation against plastic bag litter.

ARA’s Executive Director Richard Evans said the peak retail industry group believes industry stakeholders should be included in the development of solutions as opposed to being excluded.
“The industry has been leading on this issue since 2002 and it would be a mistake to now introduce legislation that will only cause confusion and compliance issues,” Evans said.

“What we need is an across industry commitment, support from the consumer and a strategy involving all stakeholders. What we don’t need is populist politics which is polluting the debate.
“There are over 4.5 billion bags used by consumers each year, 75% of which are reused. Plastic makes up only 5% of landfill and 50% of that is packaging so we need to place this debate into context as opposed to the emotional rhetoric that can be applied.

“We need solutions to ensure consumers can change their habits and legislation with a tax is too big a stick to use. What we suggest is greater consensus, perhaps a voluntary levy supported by Government education and greater funds placed into litter management,” Evans said.

“It is too easy to blame retailers and punish them with greater red tape for the poor responsibility of some consumers to their correct disposal of litter.

“Placing a tax on bags will not resolve the litter issue but it will make it difficult for retailers at the checkout with compliance. Retailers will ultimately comply with any Government legislation and consumers will pay but it will be much easier and more effective if the industry was engaged voluntarily,” Evans said.

“We will not support a tax nor a discriminatory banning on plastic bags as it will lead to confusion and greater red tape - thus passing on extra cost to the consumer.

“Are the Labor Ministers in this apparent time of high inflation hitting working families willing to increase grocery prices by introducing costly legislation? If they are we recommend they rethink and engage the sector,” Evans said.

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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