Over the past week, mainstream media has been full of activities promoting a ban on plastic waste. There was the Melbourne tram packed full of coffee cups that did the rounds of the city and drew significant television coverage. There have been celebrities rolling large balls of plastic waste to gain attention and calls for even plastic straws to be banned. Queensland value their connection with the ocean probably more than most states and a recent survey received 26,000 submissions with 96% supporting a ban on plastic bags.
Sustainability demands have been a feature of retailing for a few years and our own QVM launched a program for biodegradable carry bags some time ago although cracks have appeared in the program with criticism that some traders have reverted to the bad old ways of plastic carry bags that have been shown to severely pollute our environment.
The sustainability demand from consumers is not going away – in fact, clearly it is intensifying. Customers may not complain at the stall when you provide their purchase in a polluting plastic bag but we know it is a negative for a growing number of consumers. Now is a good time to show customers that you care and maybe at least part of the cost can be financed by a QVM marketing grant.
Have Your Say – click here.
