Doggy Bags to Clean up Brisbane

May 2010: Millions of biodegradable bags will be distributed across Queensland parks in an environmentally friendly bid to clean up dog waste.

Monday 17 May 2010

ASX listed company CARDIA BIOPLASTICS LIMITED (CNN) has been awarded the contract to supply Brisbane City Council with biodegradable waste collection bags for use in ‘dog off leash parks' and other parks throughout the city. 

CARDIA's revolutionary bags are crafted from cornstarch and are designed to disintegrate within three months and convert back to CO2 and water within six months under industrial composting conditions. 

CARDIA BIOPLASTICS Managing Director, Dr Frank Glatz, described the council's program as "an elegant way to deal with the problem of dog waste". Brisbane City Council had taken the lead in introducing biodegradable disposable bags and establishing collection points at dedicated dog waste bins in many parks and gardens. "This is a step to providing a complete environmental solution in the park for the dog waste issue," Dr Glatz said. "You run into all sorts of environmental problems when you collect dog waste in standard plastic bags.  "This is a fantastic initiative and Brisbane City Council is leading Australia. "The potential is for millions of these bags to be distributed in parks right across the country."  Cardia's supply contract with Brisbane City Council for dog waste bags is a further endorsement of Cardia's portfolio of innovative bioplastics products, and follows on from its exclusive supply of biodegradable waste bags to the Beijing 2008 Olympics.  

CARDIA's bioplastics bags are now being used by several fast food outlets and retailers around the country, including KFC, with leading businesses opting for a greener alternative to help reduce the carbon footprint. Dr Glatz said Cardia was well positioned to offer the same products and solutions to other councils and clients globally.