by Judy Barrass, a Noosa creative well known for her artist books and new media works. She is currently on an extended trip to Europe.
From the Australian perspective we often think places like Germany, or indeed the whole of Europe, might be ahead of us in environmental and public health measures, but I’m beginning to think we just don’t know how lucky we are.
Plastic Bags? No thanks
I have been reading from afar about the banning of plastic bags in Woolworths in Noosa and the slow but steady path towards a state-wide ban. In places like Germany or Holland where single-use plastic bags have been banned for some years I’m aghast at the amount of plastic packaging.
At the checkout shoppers who didn’t or couldn’t bring their own are charged for an array of bags, including horrible, heavy plastic bags with cut-your-hand handles that no sensible person would use twice. Surely these are not good for the environment?
It’s true that most shoppers bring their own (we have a trusty Boomerang Bag from Noosa in our luggage) but once you’re inside the supermarket all pretense of a plastic-free world is forgotten.
Vegetables and meats are packaged on plastic trays and layers of cling wrap. Potatoes are in plastic string bags. Almost no vegetable can be bought without a plastic container.
There are whole aisles of plastic bag bin liners. While we might still be a little behind the times in Noosa in handing out plastic bags we can still buy our meat and vegetables free of plastic.
Still Smoking?
The other major issue difference is smoking.
You know those pictures of lovely outdoor cafes in Europe – the ones that make us want to spend the day lounging in the sunshine soaking up the food and drink and atmosphere? These are basically filled with smokers, and unless you don’t care much about your lungs you won’t spend any time there. Instead you’ll be relegated to an unattractive, dark interior where smoking is not allowed, but which is nevertheless filled with smoke from the open doorways anyway.
Smoking is so ubiquitous in Europe it’s hard to escape. Every street is littered with cigarette butts. Public spaces are like one big ashtray. Walking down the street or waiting for a bus is done in a haze of smoke. Although there are designated smoking areas on railway platforms no one takes any notice. Being outdoors anywhere puts you in danger of lung cancer.
In Australia we are fortunate that tireless campaigners have made our dining spaces and public places smoke-free. I’m forever grateful. I hope we do just as well in showing we can lead the world in a plastic-free future.
