Plastic bags: The store assistant "caught by the throat" while the Australian ban begins

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Investors banned single-use plastic bags in Australia this week -end. One client allegedly seized a vendor at the throat while another would have described the staff as "froth who would grab the money".

The ban on single-use bags is part of a national initiative to reduce waste. According to the UN, more than 60 countries, including the United Kingdom, have introduced bans or levies on single-use bags.

According to the UN agency for the environment, retailers in four of the six Australian states are now subject to sanctions. Each year, up to 5 trillion single-use bags are consumed worldwide

The Australian chain Woolworths banned bags on June 20, before the July 1 deadline, offering 15-pack reusable bags. cents (£ 0.08;

But the "baggage" customer pushed the chain to reverse the policy and offer the reusable bags free until July 8.

"They just want a little more money." Help from us to cross the transition, "said Claire Peters, general manager of Woolworths, in a statement

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Another chain, Coles, said that she would open every line of checkout Sunday to reduce the length of queues and assign additional staff to explain the change to customers. "We are taking a proactive step," said a spokesman for Coles.

"While we understand that some customers may be frustrated by this change, there is absolutely no excuse for abusive or abusive behavior towards retail staff," Gerard said. Dwyer, National Secretary of the Union, Association of Distribution and Related Business Employees

The union interviewed 132 of its members and stated that 57 reported being victims of abuse

oceans ?

More than 8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year, according to the UN, which demanded that single-use bags be completely phased out by 2022

. Main way stic gets into the seas is via the major rivers of the world. Research suggests that 95% of plastic is transported this way. Eight of these rivers are in Asia.

Plastic pollution kills animals in the Arctic

The majority comes from China, but Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam also rank among the major polluters.

Consumer behavior in developed countries, including the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, is also an important factor in pushing plastic into the waters of the world.

According to the figures, US citizens produce 120 kg of plastic waste per person per year. The UK produces about 76 kg (167 lb) of waste while in Sweden it is about 18 kg (40 lb).

What is the rest of the world doing?

Last December, 193 countries pledged to implement a UN plan to prevent plastic waste from entering the oceans. But the commitment is not legally binding and has no timetable, and different countries have adopted different schemes.

Forty people have banned the use of single-use plastic bags, with charges or outright bans in China and Bangladesh. and about 15 African countries.

Other nations, including the United Kingdom, have decided to ban plastic straws and cotton swabs.