A volunteer group in Altona hopes to eliminate the use of plastic bags in retail stores by replacing them with reusable ones called Boomerang Bags.

Boomerang Bags are sewn using scrap materials as a way to ensure that no extra waste is created.

If implemented, stores would be provided with a bin and bags for customers to use. The idea is that the bags would be circulated throughout town, with no permanent residence. Customers would be allowed to use them for their purchases and would be responsible for returning them at the next store they visited.

Boomerang Bags are reusable bags sewn out of scrap material to reduce extra waste production. Photo courtesy of the Altona Boomerang Bags groupWith the possibility of bags getting lost or being accumulated by customers, spokesperson Connie Heppner-Mueller said she hopes the public will be responsible enough to keep the program going.

“I'm sure some of the bags will disappear... but we're hoping they will get put to good use in that family or wherever they end up,” she said.

The planning is still in the beginning stages, but the organization wishes to launch a pilot project in fall at the Altona Library. The reading community will then be allowed to use the Boomerang Bags for their books.

From there, retailers will be asked if they would be interested in participating in a town-wide system.

While the Boomerang Bags will help the environment, Heppner-Mueller said there are more advantages than just that.

“I would say one of the greatest benefits is the awareness and education piece around the problem that plastic bags are creating in our world... [they] have a very negative impact on wildlife and the ocean,” she said.

The original Boomerang Bags program began in Australia in 2013, and has since spread to multiple communities across the world.

This month, Altona's group will be hosting two events: a tent in the park on June 14 from 1 to 7 p.m., and a Sewing Bee on June 19 between 7 and 9 p.m. at W.C. Miller Collegiate.