Andrews Government to ban supermarket plastic bags

HEADING to the shops to pick up your groceries is about to massively change for shoppers across Victoria, with the State Government set to ban plastic bags. Here’s what it means.

COMMON plastic bags used to carry shopping at Victorian supermarkets will be banned by the Andrews Government.

The environmental policy will be phased in after consultation with community and business groups, and will not include small bags used to carry meat and fruit and vegetables.

The government intervention is likely to be welcomed by green groups, but may cause waves within consumer ranks.

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When Labor mooted a ban previously, concerns were raised about how far it would go — for example by dog walkers and people who use the grey or white bags as bin liners.

No date has been set for the ban to take place, but it is understood the policy could be implemented without legislation.

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Common plastic bags used to carry shopping at Victorian supermarkets will be banned by the Andrews Government. Generic picture: AAP

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the target was “single-use, lightweight plastic shopping bags” that contain heavier-duty plastic and were a greater environmental threat.

“We’re banning single-use plastic bags (to) slash waste, reduce litter and help protect marine life in Victoria’s pristine waters,” she said.

“We will work closely with Victorian communities and businesses to design the ban, we’re proud that we’re doing our bit to reduce the impact plastic bags have on our environment.”

The proposal has previously caused divisions in Labor ranks with some arguing the Greens-friendly policy would cause a backlash in outer suburbs and the party’s heartland.

However, major supermarkets recently announced they would be phasing out the grey and white plastic bags in their outlets anyway.

This included Coles, Woolworths, and IGA.

At the time, Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci said the supermarket handed out more than 3.2 billion plastic bags a year and “hence can play a significant role in reducing overall plastic bag usage”.

Some other major supermarkets, such as Aldi, already force shoppers to pay for bags that they are encouraged to continue using.

The found of the National Plastic Bag Campaign, John Dee, has previously called on the federal government to implement an Australia-wide ban, but the Turnbull Government said it was a decision to be made by states.

Mr Dee has said that a nationwide ban would reduce plastic bag use by six billion a year.