A MUNDOOLUN anti-rubbish campaigner has hailed a state government plan to ban single-use plastic as a real step forward in cleaning up the streets.
Cathy Clowes, who can often be found picking up rubbish along Mundoolun and Collins Creek roads, said she was thrilled by the news that the government would soon adopt the measures.
Polystyrene foam food containers and cups, as well as single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates will all be banned from September 1, 2021 under new legislation passed by the government last week.
"I'm really happy about it," Mrs Clowes said.
"There are ways around it [using plastic], and people are going to get used to it.
"Like when plastic bags went, we got used to it.
"I am thrilled to bits by it. It's the best news I've heard in a long time."
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said there was overwhelming community support for banning the products.
Ms Scanlon said it was hoped the move would have similar results to the plastic bag ban in 2018.
"We've already seen the enormous benefits of the single-use plastic shopping bag ban, with litter surveys showing a 70 per cent reduction in not just lightweight plastic shopping bag litter, but all plastic bag litter since the ban began on 1 July 2018," she said.
"Now, we intend to continue removing these types of products from the environment, with this legislation focusing on single-use straws, stirrers, cutlery, and plates.
"During our community consultation stage, from March last year, some 94 per cent of the 20,000 respondents supported our proposal to ban these items."
Mrs Clowes said she was winning the war on waste in her area.
While she would be out on the streets every day in previous years, now the job was not as big.
"I am probably out there every second day now, in different areas," she said.
She encouraged others to join the cause.
"It's not that hard, and good exercise," Mrs Clowes said.
"Just grab a bag."
Jimboomba Times readers took to Facebook to share their views on the planned plastic ban.
Faye Rawlinson wrote that authorities needed to target supermarkets.
"If the government was serious, Coles and Woolies would stop packaging the fruit and vegetables up in plastic," she wrote.
Glenice Biernat wrote she had found everything from a dead goat to a pair of crutches beside the road as people were too lazy to dispose of their rubbish thoughtfully.
"Why are there so many slobs in our midst?" she wrote.
"I am fed up with adding someone else's rubbish as well as my own to a bin, when out and about in the great outdoors.
"We live down a country lane and at times have had car loads of rubbish dumped on the sides."
Gary Lochel liked the idea.
"I think it is a very small start, but it is a start," he wrote.
Ring Logan City Council to report illegally dumped rubbish on 3412 3412.
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