Don’t be surprised to see women on their sewing machines in Altona’s Logan Reserve on Sunday.
Hobsons Bay Boomerang Bags is hosting a Sew in Public Day to raise awareness about how people can reduce their reliance on plastic bags.
Marilyn Olliff started the reusable cloth bag initiative in Hobsons Bay. They are known as Boomerang Bags because you borrow and bring back a bag from locations such as Coles supermarket or Altona library.
Now, the group is holding public demonstrations to show people how to make their own sustainable alternatives to plastic shopping bags using recycled material.
Volunteers will sew, pin, cut, screenprint and make beeswax wraps (an alternative to cling wrap) under the trees in the park.
“This public event is to show the local and wider community what we do in our workshops and educate them on ways to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags, as well as other plastics such as straws and cling wrap,” Ms Olliff said.
“We have a lot of wonderful people in our workshops – volunteers teach newcomers how to sew and we learn other skills.”
The group has also proposed a balloon ban on council-owned or managed land.
Hobsons Bay council last week voted to refer the group’s appeal to its environmental sustainability portfolio committee.
Sew in Public Day is from 1-4pm at Logan Reserve, Altona on March 25.
Tea and scones will be provided by the Altona Country Women’s Association.
Details: facebook.com/groups/HobsonsBayBoomerangBags
