Ballarat waste-free leaders are expecting the demand for Boomerang Bags to increase as a ban on single use plastic bags comes into effect in Victoria on Friday.
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Boomerang Bags Ballarat co-ordinators Andrea Hurley, Wendy Aston and Stacey-Lea Gibson are calling for more volunteer help to sew bags donated material to keep up with demand.
"If we could have more volunteers we would have bags in every store," Ms Hurley said.
The Ballarat arm of the global Boomerang Bags movement started two and a half years ago and has grown since, with a new side groups beginning in Delacombe, at Barkly Square and in a number of schools.
Most of the time when you ask, people don't even want a bag.
- Andrea Hurley, Boomerang Bags
Ms Gibson said community awareness and willingness to reduce plastic waste had also grown in the past few years.
"People are now aware of the initiative, seeking us out and wanting to collaborate which shows it is spreading," she said.
Volunteer sewers create re-usable carry bags and fruit and vegetable bags from donated material at working bees and in their own time at home or with groups of friends.
Bags are available for customers to keep, use and return or pass on to friends and family at the Ballarat Wholefoods Collective, Hattie and the Wolf, The Healthy Hub and Wellness Centre, Delacombe Town Centre Fruit and Vegetable and at some other stores and sustainable events.
The team welcome contact from other businesses who wish to offer Boomerang Bags in their store, understanding many will be looking for alternatives with a ban on single-use plastic bags coming into effect in Victoria on Friday.
Ms Hurley, Ms Aston and Ms Gibson said they were positive the reduction of single-use plastic products would continue in the future.
"Most of the time when you ask, people don't even want a bag," Ms Hurley said.
"It is forming habits like remembering to take a bag when you go to the supermarket."
Ms Aston said Boomerang Bags had helped create that conversation around reducing plastic waste.
The next Boomerang Bags Ballarat working bee will be held on November 11 from 5pm to 7pm at the Ballarat Wholefoods Collective. Anyone is welcome and no previous sewing skill is required.
Visit the Boomerang Bags Ballarat Facebook page for more information or to request a materials pack to make Boomerang Bags in your own time at home. Fabric and financial donations are also accepted.
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