Founded on the Gold Coast by a group of young passionate surfers, Boomerang Bags was set up to reduce the use of plastic bags being used in the community, and reduce waste going into landfill. Fabrics which would otherwise end up in landfill are donated to volunteers who sew and put together the bags which are then distributed out far and wide to places as a stylish, fun, free, sustainable alternative to plastic bags.
Unlike the traditional purchase-and-keep approach, Boomerang Bags are free, and local community members are responsible for returning the bags once they’re no longer required. The availability of free re-useable bags reduces the reliance of local businesses to supply bags to all customers, and encourages a mentality of re-use among local communities, thereby reducing the amount of plastic bag material entering our landfills and waterways.
The concept has been so popular, it is now taking the country by storm, with community groups stepping up and implementing Boomerang Bags in their area. And now it is coming to the Illawarra!
The Southern Region Waste Program has partnered with Conservation Volunteers Australia, Illawarra Intrepid Landcare and the Surfrider Foundation South Coast to support the launch of the Boomerang Bags community initiative in the Illawarra, and you are invited.
The collective of organisations will come together and host a free community evening to showcase the Boomerang Bags initiative, share how it works, how people can get involved as volunteers and discuss the potential it has to grow in the region.
When: Wednesday the 2nd of March from 6 pm
Where: Old Wollongong Court House
Can’t make the launch, but want to be involved? The first bag making event will be on Wednesday the 9th of March from 6-8pm at the same location.
RSVP: boomerangbags@srwp.org.au for both events.
