Supermarket giants are continuing to cop criticism for their clampdown on single- use plastic bags.

After Woolworths banned the bags nationwide last week, Coles has confirmed they are set to follow suit on July 1. Though these major retailers have enacted the ban, New South Wales is the only state without a proposed legislative phase out.

Rita Panahi says this kind of “profitable line of corporate virtue signalling” is “utterly absurd.”

“Australians don’t dump their plastic bags into waterways. The most comprehensive study done into plastic pollution shows that Australia contributes 10 kilograms a year,” Panahi says.

“This isn’t good, but when you talk about the tonnes and tonnes that some other nations are contributing, the bulk of plastic in the ocean comes from five countries. This is led by China, Indonesia is up there, so is the Philippines.”

“Do you really think a plastic bag ban in Australia is going to change habits in China? It’s just idiotic.”  

Supermarket chains may have shot at the wrong target when it comes to eliminating excess litter, according to Panahi, who says banning plastics will pay little environmental dividends.

“They actually contribute just a little under 1% of total rubbish in Australia, indicates the latest litter index. Most of the litter, is cigarette related. If you  really want to tackle littering in Australia, that is where your focus should be.”

Supermarket giants are continuing to cop criticism for their clampdown on single- use plastic bags.
After Woolworths banned the bags nationwide last week, Coles has confirmed they are set to follow suit on July 1. Though these major retailers have enacted the ban, New South Wales is the only state without a proposed legislative phase out.
Rita Panahi says this kind of &ldquo;profitable line of corporate virtue signalling&rdquo; is &ldquo;utterly absurd.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Australians don&rsquo;t dump their plastic bags into waterways. The most comprehensive study done into plastic pollution shows that Australia contributes 10 kilograms a year,&rdquo; Panahi says.
&ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t good, but when you talk about the tonnes and tonnes that some other nations are contributing, the bulk of plastic in the ocean comes from five countries. This is led by China, Indonesia is up there, so is the Philippines.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Do you really think a plastic bag ban in Australia is going to change habits in China? It&rsquo;s just idiotic.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Supermarket chains may have shot at the wrong target when it comes to eliminating excess litter, according to Panahi, who says banning plastics will pay little environmental dividends.
&ldquo;They actually contribute just a little under 1% of total rubbish in Australia, indicates the latest litter index. Most of the litter, is cigarette related. If you&nbsp;&nbsp;really want to tackle littering in Australia, that is where your focus should be.&rdquo;

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