By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
A GROUP of Belgrave locals has taken inspiration from a community group in Warburton and is working with local traders to make the Dandenong Ranges plastic bag free.
Jen Ellison from the volunteer group Plastic Bag Free Dandenong Ranges said the group had the support of traders associations from Belgrave, Upwey and Tecoma.
“We don’t want to enforce this one anyone,” Ms Ellison said.
“We want to work with the traders and local communities to change people’s habits and the way they think about plastic bag use.”
Plastic Bag Free Dandenong Ranges will officially launch their campaign to end the use of plastic shopping bags from 10am Sunday 24 July at Burrinja Cultural Centre.
The launch will include a screening of the film ‘Bag It’ followed by a Q and A session, a sewing session to craft re-usable shopping bags and a coffee/info sharing session.
Ms Ellison said it had been hard work for the small group of volunteers to get the campaign off the ground and so it was on the lookout for more people to get involved.
“We’d love to have any volunteers who can help us at the sewing bee from 10am-1pm on the 24th,” she said.
“Even if you can’t sew, but can cut or pin, everyone is very welcome.”
For those that are looking to get involved but can’t spare time to volunteer, Plastic Bag free Dandenong Ranges have a donation bin at the Belgrave library.
“We’d love material donations to turn into bags,” Ms Ellison said.
“We are looking for old clean sheets, pillowcases, table cloths, even old clothes.”
For more information about the group or the launch day, Plastic Bag Free Dandenong Ranges can be found online at www.facebook.com/plasticbagfreedandenongranges.
