Mission Statement

We are an environmentally conscious, non-profit group advocating the introduction of a plastic bag levy in NSW supermarkets. Our aim is to reduce plastic bag usage by 90% in NSW within five years and thus promote a cleaner and healthier environment with more environmentally aware citizens.

While positive action is eventually in the hands of the individual, there is overwhelming evidence that without government initiative little will be done. The Ninety-Percent Group recognise and applaud those groups within Australia, particularly in NSW that are informing and educating people about the dangers of and alternatives to plastic bags. Projects such as Clean Up Australia’s Say No To Plastic Bags (http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/Campaigns/overview.html) work towards changing consumer behaviour but we believe more MUST be done. The NSW government must be held accountable for the responsibility they have to the community both present and future as well as the vast amount of wildlife that is affected by this plague of plastic.

The impact that plastic bags have on the environment is staggering. The non-biodegradable plastic bags such as those provided by most supermarkets can last in the environment for up to 1000 years. Once they are there they cause irrevocable damage to marine life, killing an estimated 1 million sear birds, 100,000 sea mammals and countless fish each year. Turtles, dolphins and killer whales choke or starve by confusing bags with jellyfish. And disastrously when the animal dies and decays the plastic lives, free to repeat the same cycle.

South Australia has already successfully implemented a ban on plastic bags, why can’t we?

By campaigning NSW State Government officials and local MP’s we aim to increase government consciousness on the issue as well as rally the support of concerned citizens.

Now is the time NSW!