More than 800 reusable bags have been made to date as part of Queenscliffe Neighbourhood House’s Boomerang Bags 3225 project.
"The community reaction has been amazing and we love seeing people walking around town with their Boomerang Bags,” said spokesperson Jane Rodwell. “Every Boomerang Bag has a story, from where its materials were sourced, who it was made by and how far it’s travelled. They are used and re-used, boomeranged to friends and family as a means to start a conversation.”
The bags are made available through local IGA supermarkets. The stores have played a leading role in the recycling campaign, having banned plastic bags at its Point Lonsdale store in 2011, and more recently in Queenscliff.
Owner Tamara Gaylard said the move had saved approximately 1,000 plastics bags a week.
“While most of the locals were appreciative of us being plastic bag free, there were still some customers up until that point who found it to be an inconvenience.
“Boomerang bags are in use at both stores, as well as boxes, paper bags. We have IGA shopping bags for purchase, we do not have thick plastic bags for sale,” she said.
“I think it would be fair to say we’re all getting better at bringing our own bags.”