The Queensland state government is considering a ban on single-use plastic bags to prevent marine pollution.

Litter rates are 40 times higher than the national average in Queensland, the government has estimated, with 40 per cent of small turtles recently surveyed in Brisbane’s Moreton Bay found to have consumed plastics.

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“Banning single-use plastic bags is one really practical way we can reduce litter and to help our turtles,” the state’s environment minister Steven Miles told the ABC.

His government has established an advisory council to propose measures to prevent the growing litter problem.

Another option was a recycling buyback scheme, such as that in place in South Australia, Mr Miles said.

-with ABC.