Money raised from the recent 10 cent supermarket plastic bag trial will be spent on various environmental projects in Casey including Akoonah Park. The decision was welcomed by Munju Jeong, Simon Fontorbe, Sonja Vassallo, Hyuntaek Jeon, Travis Scicchitano and Jongmin Kim.23407 Picture: Stewart Chambers
CONSERVATIONISTS will spend $22,000 in proceeds from the recent supermarket plastic bag trial on environmental projects in Casey.
The trial, which required shoppers to pay 10 cents for each plastic bag, resulted in a 79 per cent reduction in bag use.
Officials were unable to say how many bags were sold during the trial, which was conducted from 8 August to 14 September.
Several supermarkets in Narre Warren, Berwick, and Hampton Park as well as stores in Warrnambool and Wangaratta took part in the levy.
Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) will use the money on local landcare and water quality projects.
Environmental projects will be implemented at Grasmere Creek, Cardinia Creek, and Akoonah Park.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings thanked shoppers for their involvement in the trial.
“Analysis is continuing on the impact of the trial on customers and supermarket staff, including occupational health and safety issues,” Mr Jennings said.
“All this data will be included in the final report.”
The report will be provided to the State Government in October, along with advice from the trial Steering Committee chaired by the director of Global Sustainability at RMIT University, Caroline Bayliss.
“We will analyse all the outcomes of the trial. The government will continue to work with industry toward a national approach based on the outcomes of the trial,” Mr Jennings said.
