Boomerang Bags is a group of volunteers who get together to sew re-usable bags out of recycled material, then distribute them free to the community to discourage the use of plastic bags.

The group started in March and have already created more than 350 bags for residents to use. 

“We know we aren’t going to fix the problem by creating a few boomerang bags but we just want to do our part,” Lithgow Boomerang Bags coordinator Carol Stevens said. 

Ms Stevens said watching documentaries on waste management and recycling has helped her and other group members to become educated in the problems plastic was causing. 

“Education is the biggest thing, once you know about the problem you can’t turn a blind eye,” she said. 

Groups are also getting behind the initiative, with Cheryl Rutherford from Girl Guides requesting 35 bags to give to Guide leaders attending a regional conference. Kim Edwards from the Lions Club asked for 15 bags for their club members, too. 

“This is very exciting for the Guides because this may be something they have never heard of but will take away and do themselves,” Ms Rutherford said. 

With Coles phasing out its one use plastic bags on Sunday, July 1, and Woolworths having phased them out on June 20, the Union for retail workers with the SDA have launched ‘Don’t bag retail staff’ campaign to stop abusive behaviour towards retail workers.  

SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer said customers should be prepared for the new bag rules.

“We welcome this positive change for the environment and remind customers to bring their own reusable bag or simply purchase one at the checkout.”

“While we understand that some customers may be frustrated by this change, there is no excuse for abusive or violent behaviour towards retail staff.”

Shoppers at Coles Lithgow will have an environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic bags available at the checkout if they forget their own, with seven new reusable bags offered for sale.