Plastic bagged

By Jade Lawton
The Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce (BVCC) sent a five-year business plan to hundreds of local traders this week, suggesting several initiatives for Berwick’s future – including an eco-friendly ban on plastic bags.
If 51 per cent or more traders approve of the plan, the Business Improvement District (BID) will be introduced, with traders charged up to $450 a year to fund a centre manager and special projects around the village.
BVCC president Harry Hutchinson said the centre manager would work with the City of Casey to enhance Berwick’s ‘green’ image and investigate alternatives to plastic bags.
“I think it is definitely the way for the future – only this week the Vic Market said it was going plastic free,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“Because (under the BID) everyone would be in the chamber, we could supply the bags. We can get biodegradable bags, corn starch, all sorts of wonderful things.”
The plastic bag bid follows a 2008 plastic-free trial in Berwick’s supermarkets, where customers were asked to pay 10 cents for each plastic bag used.
The trial was met with mixed reactions from customers.
But Mr Hutchinson said Berwick was ready to improve its green credentials – and the initiatives could also help traders’ hip pockets.
“Unfortunately, the trial was only the supermarkets, it didn’t go to smaller businesses and that’s when everyone was buying the green enviro bags – and they’ve proven a bigger pest, and most people would have half a dozen lying in the bottom of the car,” he said.
“But we also want to reduce garbage costs and waste, to be more environmentally friendly. We would like to have bins that are labelled glass, plastic, metal and then we can on-sell (the waste); it could become cash positive.”
Mr Hutchinson said other schemes, like approaching suppliers for bulk discounts, would also save a lot of money.
“Rather than half a dozen energy suppliers we are suggesting we have one supplier and get major discounting. That also goes for the credit card, and business insurance, and security.”
The BVCC has encouraged traders to email back their thoughts on the business plan.