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."

{sidebar id=1}"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.

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