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Dee and Chris Pieper, who own and manage Chirn Park News on the Gold Coast, QLD, are making their dream of a plastic bag free future a reality.
Their plastic bag and environmental policy is proudly displayed on their shop's front window and states that if a customer wants a plastic bag they will be charged 25 cents. And from 31 December 2005, they'll remove the option to purchase a plastic bag altogether.
Instead of plastic bags, Chirn Park News offers its customers reusable, unbranded bags suitable for newsagency products and available for purchase at a realistic price of $1.30.
"We have sourced a supply of bags at a very reasonable cost and have applied a small mark-up to these," explained Dee.
"All of the profits generated from the sale of these bags, and in the short term the plastic bags, are fed back into the local community for environmental projects. We are marketing this to our customers with fliers placed in all areas around the store and advising customers at the counter," Dee continued.
"So far we have only had one negative response but have received an amazing show of support for our actions," said Dee.
Since introducing the store's plastic bag policy, Dee and Chris have enjoyed many benefits to their business including reduced costs with the elimination of plastic bags, support for their actions from customers and an increase in customer traffic from people who feel the same way as they do.
"As I see it, going plastic bag free will only result in a win-win situation for us, a healthier environment and at the end of the day, more money in our pockets," said Dee.
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