The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority is urging Goulburn Valley residents to replace plastic shopping bags with use re-useable bags.
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority is urging Goulburn Valley residents to replace plastic shopping bags with use re-useable bags.
Plastic shopping bags choke our river network, can strangle aquatic life such as platypus and create an unsightly mess.
GBCMA Strategic River Health Manager, Wayne Tennant, said the millions of plastic bags that end up littering rivers have a disastrous effect on the environment.
"They pose a real threat of injury to river and floodplain wildlife," Mr Tennant said.
"Plastic bags can also block stormwater outfalls causing local flooding and can harm or even kill valuable livestock.
"The health of our rivers and streams and the quality of water within them benefits regional communities and individuals alike.
"By carrying re-useable tote bags to the supermarket, people can personally contribute to the health of our local environment.
"More than one billion plastic bags are used in Victoria each year and about 10 million of those bags end up in our waterways. Plastic bags can take up to 1000 years to break down.
The Victorian Government recently announced the introduction of a 10c levy on non-reusable plastic bags from 2009.
Release ends
For more information telephone Wayne Tennant on 58201100 or 0417 503 436.