Introduction

Australia is a huge consumer of single use plastic shopping bags which create environmental problems because they are difficult to recycle and most are dumped into landfill or end up in the litter stream. In 2002 Australians used approximately 6.9 billion plastic shopping bags, that’s something like 350 bags a year for every person living in Australia. Current figures indicate that community and industry efforts, along with local and State government initiatives, have helped to reduced plastic bag use by over 2 billion but we still use 4.77 billion annually, (enough to stretch around the planet 26 times!!)

 

 

 

The Keep Australia Beautiful - Plastic Bag Reduction Awards - Education Resource will assist teachers to implement an education / action program that can empower students to play a leadership role in reducing the impact of plastic bags on the environment. It provides a framework for teachers and students to explore the issues associated with plastic bags, raise community awareness and develop sustainable solutions.

This resource offers an integrated approach to environmental learning, based on inquiry and enterprise education models.  It includes information and activities suitable for Primary, Middle and Senior Years that can be adapted for different student ability levels and incorporated in a range of subject areas including:
Society and Environment - Science - Language - Maths - Visual Arts and Communications - Earth Sciences - Social Sciences - Business Studies - Community Development - Australian Studies - Sustainable Futures - Integrated Studies.

The program provides authentic learning experiences and opportunities for students to:
- Explore human impacts on the environment
- Investigate the processes and properties of plastics and alternatives to single-use plastic
  shopping bags
- Educate the wider community about waste reduction, resource recovery and sustainable
  solutions
- Work with local organisations and businesses towards positive environmental outcomes
- Raise funds for school and/or community projects through student enterprise

Keep Australia Beautiful, in partnership with Collex, would like to recognise the plastic bag reduction efforts and successes of business, industry, school and community groups across Australia, so schools are encouraged to develop and document a plastic bag reduction initiative and share their experience through the KAB Plastic Bag Reduction Awards program.