That is why they have become the first inland region, not situated in a coastal area usually impacted by plastic bag waste in the ocean, to launch an official campaign.

Plastic Wise Yackandandah, supported by Indigo Council, is encouraging residents to create and reuse material bags by working together.

Group member Francesca Ciantar said people had already started sewing bees to create bags and were planning a system where anyone could borrow bags from a big box shared by the town.

She said coffee cups, water bottles and even straws created plastic waste, which contributed 80 to 90 per cent of the 9 million tonnes of human waste in oceans that may never break down in the environment.

“The biggest contributor to all of that is single-use plastics,” Ms Ciantar said. 

“It’s about turning our single-use plastic minds on. 

“A straw might not seem like a big deal, but if that’s the plastic that chokes an animal – every bit counts.”

She said it was important for Yackandandah to be part of a campaign because people enjoyed the beautiful, natural environment of the town and did not want to see plastic bags when outside swimming or walking.

Yackandandah will hold a film screening of Plastic Paradise on Saturday to help educate residents.

The event will also be attended by special guests Anthony Hill, who works to help people become plastic-free; Tanya Potts, creator of Boomerang bags; and Robert Skehan from Plastic Bags Free Victoria.

Plastic Wise Yackandandah member Lauren Howlett said the group wanted to bring Mr Hill back another time to run his education program in the community because they felt there was a desire to cut back on plastics.

“People are very keen to do it, but the issue is forgetting bags at the supermarket,” she said.

Plastic Paradise will screen at the Yackandandah Public Hall from 7pm Saturday, followed by a question and answer session with Mr Hill.