Following Coles’ announcement that it was reversing its decision to stop providing free single-use plastic bags to shoppers, the Great Lakes community has responded with mixed emotions.
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Taking part in a discussion on the Advocate’s Facebook page, Graham Robinson said people needed to start taking responsibility for their impact on the planet.
“For the sake of our grandchildren and theirs. It’s not that hard,” he commented.
Barney Hunter suggested litterers should be the focus of the issue.
“Attack the litterers, the countries that dump their rubbish in the sea and other countries that have zero care for the environment,” he wrote.
“This stuff all ends up in the ocean and moves around the world.
“Supermarket bags cause no problem.”
Berlinda Neale asked if people didn’t realise banning plastic bags was a worldwide initiative, not just Coles or Woolworths.
“I had a guy in front of me the other day that said he wouldn't pay for a bag,” she explained.
“When I spoke to the checkout operator about it he wasn't happy.”
Deborah Tony added that it was funny how people don’t forget to take their purse, wallet, phone and troublesome kids with them when they go to the supermarket.
“Maybe they need to put these articles close to the reusable bags so they don’t ,” she said.
“My future grand kids say thanks Coles for destroying the environment because you're scared to stand by your word,” Brad Fletcher wrote.
Ashleigh Whitton added people still had the option to take their own bags.
“Just because they have plastic bags doesn’t mean we have to use them,” she wrote.
“People will though,” Brad Fletcher replied, “the idea was to remove them completely.
“People will get lazy and just take the free ones and nothing will be achieved.”
Gaye Tindall asked why Australia lags so far behind other countries who have already implemented plastic-free solutions.
“No plastic bags in Scandinavia, Germany, and other parts of Europe,” she wrote.
“People just have to get used to it!
“Read the latest National Geographic on the scourge that is plastic!”
Marc Degnan suggested “those who ‘haven't adjusted’ need to learn. Now.” and Ashley Newlan commented saying people need to grow up and do the right thing.
Woolworths and Coles last July joined a push to rid Australia of disposable plastic bags and set a deadline of June 30, 2018 for their stores to stop offering them to shoppers.
