Cherie Pethard, Caroly Laurie and Carolyn Salter held a meeting last month with the majority of local retailers to discuss ending the ubiquitous use of plastic bags by shoppers.

“The businesses we met with are very supportive of the idea as is Walcha Council,” said Mrs Pethard.

Mrs Pethard said she was motivated to do something by the worrying statistics surrounding plastic bag use.

“Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to break down in the environment, and every piece of plastic ever made still exists,” she said.

“Let’s start using reusable cloth or paper bags now, ahead of March 1 next year when we are planning to hold a ban the bag day.