Journo compulsively scans media section for references to self

Newsletter

Chaser mailing list


Receive HTML?

Chaser Store

Show Cart
Your Cart is currently empty.

Syndicate

Click then cut and paste the URL to subscribe to our RSS feed

Website login

Login
No account yet? Register
Homeless community agrees to phase out giant plastic bag usage Print E-mail
Thursday, 27 September 2007

Image
Many homeless people are switching to reusable bags and trolleys
In what has been described as a massive coup for Australia's environmental movement, the nation's homeless have put their support behind the push to phase out giant plastic bags. "This is a great day for Mother Nature," said Clean Up Australia spokesman Ian Kiernan. "From now on, we can expect to see homeless people using reusable giant green  bags to carry their meagre possessions, not those planet-harming stripey plastics." 

Although they were slow to mobilise, the homeless community's response was overwhelming. "When I overheard two businessmen talking about global warming while they pretended I didn't exist, I knew something had to be done," said Mary Hood, of No Fixed Abode. "And if that means filling my shabby shopping trolley with fewer plastic bags, then that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make on behalf of planet Earth."

"Think globally, act locally," she added, rummaging in a bin for reusable food and drink containers.

Fellow long-term vagrant Dave Whittaker agrees: "When you sleep outside with only a threadbare blanket and the day's newspapers to keep you warm, you really notice the effects of climate change. That's why I'm campaigning for the Sydney Morning Herald and Australian to be printed on 100% recycled paper."

"I'll sleep soundly knowing that my bedsheets are not contributing to deforestation," he said. "Actually I'll sleep soundly anyway, in my usual meths-induced stupor, but you know what I mean."

Other hobo initiatives include recycling cigarettes, cleaning commuters' windscreens with biodegradable sponges and a number of water-saving programmes. "Everyone can cut down," explained tone-deaf busker Jared Stephenson. "With our country in a drought, it's irresponsible to shower every day. And why waste water on flushing toilets when you can just as easily urinate in an alley?" 

Australians have been asked to thank the homeless by giving them their unwanted metal coins for recycling into alcoholic beverages.

Re: [Article]Homeless community agrees to phase out giant plastic bag usage
wankaplates    September 28th, 2007 - 5:51 AM
*laughs* they are doing more about the environment than Malcolm Turnbull
Re: [Article]Homeless community agrees to phase out giant plastic bag usage
DiddlySquat    September 28th, 2007 - 5:57 AM
Great article, great ending, "Australians have been asked to thank the homeless by giving them their unwanted metal coins for recycling into alcoholic beverages."
[Article]Homeless community agrees to phase out giant plastic bag usage
General Staadi    September 29th, 2007 - 4:06 AM
At the risk of being slightly serious, homeless people in South Australia are actually helping the environment as they collect cans & bottles for the 5 cent refund. Come on, you other states, get your act together and get a refund too!
Re: [Article]Homeless community agrees to phase out giant plastic bag usage
Mr Pants    September 30th, 2007 - 7:31 AM
I concur. How dare these greenie leftists think about the death of entire ecosystems and the potential doom it spells for all of humanity when there's poverty to consider.

Because we all know greenie leftists know nothing about poverty.

Screw you Cubis, or Richie or Gregor or who-ever the wrote this article. I don't think you really understand who you're criticising.

Or maybe It's just me that's confused.

Why would the average businessman care about global warming?

Re: [Article]Homeless community agrees to phase out giant plastic bag usage
DiddlySquat    October 1st, 2007 - 1:06 AM
Why would the average businessman care about global warming?

They'll care about it when an (artificial) market will be created. It'll be called carbon trading.

The trick will be to get the rules right so that businesses can make money doing good things for the environment, as opposed to making money out of pretending to do good things for the environment.
Re: [Article]Homeless community agrees to phase out giant plastic bag usage
whophd    October 2nd, 2007 - 3:22 AM
At the risk of being slightly serious, homeless people in South Australia are actually helping the environment as they collect cans & bottles for the 5 cent refund. Come on, you other states, get your act together and get a refund too!

Which reminds me, that's an article I've been meaning to write about for a long time ...    grin

CK.
[Article]Homeless community agrees to phase out giant plastic bag usage
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it     October 10th, 2007 - 3:21 PM
I liked 'Ian Kiernan', but am highly offended that he would state that homeless people have "meagre possessions...."  Just because he's worth a motsa, perhaps he should try living as a homeless mortal. Maybe his possessions may not seem so meagre after all!
Re: [Article]Homeless community agrees to phase out giant plastic bag usage
ambo chaser    December 2nd, 2007 - 4:27 PM
thats what I usually do with them....

(9) comments
 
< Prev   Next >

     

Visit our MySpace page, now with video.

Chaser events