Fabric bags make shopping greener and easier

Marie Joseph, Ros Wickham, Sue Nichols, Jan Park, Dell Sutton, Margaret Evans and Jocelyn make fabric bags on Mondays at the SCILS office at 9 Daniel St, Nambour.

Nambour shoppers are being urged to make the switch from heavy-duty plastic bags to fabric alternatives that are cheaper, longer lasting and better for the environment.

Boomerang Bags Nambour’s Rosslyn Wickham said the group was still seeing some reluctance from shoppers, despite plastic bag bans changing habits across Queensland.

“People often mean to do the right thing, but they get caught out at the checkout,” Ms Wickham said. “The beauty of a fabric bag is that it can be folded into your handbag, wallet or pocket, so it is there when you need it. 

The group makes up-cycled bags from donated fabric, including quilt covers and other materials, with each bag having its own look and character. “Our small but awesome group of ladies come together once a week to sew environmentally friendly bags that are available, very cheaply, at a number of outlets around Nambour and the Hinterland.”

Ms Wickham said the bags were kept affordable so more people could choose reusable options.

“We are not trying to make money out of this,” she said. “We keep the prices low and anything that comes back to the group helps us buy thread, needles and other supplies so we can keep sewing.”

Boomerang Bags Nambour has made thousands of bags for the community. 

The products are stocked in selected stores in Nambour, Buderim, and the Hinterland. They are sold by the stores for no profit. Prices start from $3.  

If you’re a Store Owner/Manager and would be happy to try a number of bags at your place, please give us a call.

Boomerang Bags Nambour meets from 9am to Noon on Mondays at SCILS, 9 Daniel St, Nambour. To volunteer or donate fabric, please call Rosslyn  0438 129 453 or Jocelyn  0438 455 657 or visit www.facebook.com/boomerangbagsnambour.