Lismore Boomerang Bags coordinator Jenni Law gets together twice a month with a core group of volunteers and sews bags.  

In three years, they’ve made nearly 2000 bags from recycled materials - and give them away for free to local businesses.

Read more about plastic bags in Parliament in The Lismore App story: NSW Government still won't ban the single-use plastic bag

Along with other local women Lousie Somerville and Esabel Henry, Jenni wanted to do something to change the community mindset toward using single-use plastic bags.

So, they joined the growing global movement of Boomerang bags – which aims to build community connection and sustainable behaviour, while diverting waste from landfill.

“About three years ago, we saw a video about Boomerang Bags and what they do,” Jenni said. 

“It was about people in local communities getting together to prove there’s an alternative to using plastic. 

“They made bags out of donated materials, like old clothing – showing there is a sustainable alternative to creating more landfill and using plastic bags.

“In Australia, the movement started Burleigh Heads. 

“It grew to over 50 communities in Australia and New Zealand doing it in three years – and there’s a 1000 communities world-wide doing it, from Iceland to Brazil.”

Jenni said they make about 80-100 Boomerang Bags every month.

“We have a number of local businesses we give the bags to, so they can give them to their customers,” she said.

“We have a range of shops we give them to se we can reach a broad range of people in the community.

“We wanted to start the conversation about how can we use things differently and think about steering clear of using plastic bags.”

Local businesses such as Rainbow Wholefoods, Nightowl and Bunnyhole receive Boomerang Bags from the local collective.

“We also sewed 50 big bags for Lismore Toy Library and drawstring bags women’s period packs,” Jenni said.

Jenni said the group is always looking for volunteers who want to come and sew bags with them at the Lismore Recycle and Recovery Centre, on the second Saturday of the month and the fourth Sunday of the month. 

For more information about the group, you can email boomerangbagslismore@outlook.com or look for Lismore Boomerang Bags on Facebook. 

Earlier this month, Jenni, Louise and Esobel met with with Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage Kate Washington and NSW MP Janelle Saffin to discuss the need to ban single-use plastic bags.

The recent rejection of a ban on plastic bags in NSW Parliament was disappointing for Jenni, but she said “it’s only a matter of time”.

Anyone can start a Boomerang Bags sewing group and tackle the growing issue of plastic waste.

For information, visit https://boomerangbags.org/