Dozens dob in retailers for use of plastic bags despite new laws
Authorities are preparing to crack down on retailers using lightweight plastic bans, as dozens of customers report shops flouting the new laws.
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A plastic bag blitz will run over coming months to make sure retailers aren’t flouting Victoria’s new ban.
Dozens of people have already dobbed in shops suspected of still selling or giving away lightweight bags.
But the state’s environmental authority stresses it’s focus is on education, not punishment.
Environment Protection Authority acting chief executive officer Tim Eaton told the Sunday Herald Sun: “Environment Protection Authority Victoria is working with retailers to ensure they understand what they must do to be compliant with the new laws and will continue its in-store support to comply engagement program.”
Lightweight plastic shopping bags — defined as those with a thickness of 35 microns or less — were banned statewide on November 1.
All retailers are banned from providing the bags to customers even if they charge for them.
There are significant fines for those caught out but the EPA did not say when asked if it had issued any penalties.
It last month warned spot checks would be conducted across Victoria in coming months to ensure retailers are complying with the ban.
Tip-offs from the public about potential breaches were running hot.
“EPA’s approach during the first months of the legislation is on educating and supporting businesses to comply – we want to help them to get this right and are taking a commonsense approach,’’ Mr Eaton said.
“There is great public support for the program with more than 70 reports from the community to EPA alerting us to potential breaches.
“Outlets, where identified, have been contacted and made aware of their obligations under the new law.”
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Victorians had used about a billion plastic shopping bags a year with most ending up as landfill and 10 million as litter, blowing into waterways, oceans and endangering wildlife.
The National Retail Association was assisting the EPA, since March visiting more than 180 locations and speaking with helping more than 15,000 retailers comply with the ban.
Similar plastic bag bans exist elsewhere in Australia.
Reports to the EPA can be made anonymously on 1300 372 842.