Retailers on notice to voluntarily phase out thick single-use plastic bags

New laws are set to wipe out all single-use lightweight plastic bags from shops by the end of next year, but Victoria’s plastic crackdown is set to be expanded even further. This is what’s next.

Retailers have been put on notice to voluntarily phase out thick plastic bags or face a government-ordered ban in Victoria.

New laws will be introduced next year to wipe out all single-use lightweight plastic bags from shops by the end of 2019.

But the Herald Sun can reveal the Andrews Government is leaving the door open to expanding its plastic pollution crackdown to thicker plastic bags used in department stores and supermarkets.

Many shoppers have switched to the stronger plastic bags which Coles and Woolworths have sold for 15c each since supermarkets stopped offering single-use bags.

SHOPPERS DIVIDED OVER PLASTIC BAG BANS

CHECKOUT WORKERS ABUSED OVER BANS

Lydia He with thicker plastic bags, which are set to be outlawed in Victoria. Picture: Tony Gough

A widened crackdown would force Victorians to switch to reusable fabric and paper bags for their groceries, as well as at other retail stores.

The Andrews Government quietly confirmed last week that it was open to banning all plastic bags “if voluntary action isn’t effective”.

Responding to a parliamentary inquiry on environmental laws, the government said it would “monitor the use of thick plastic bags to ensure plastic pollution continues to decrease”.

“We will also consider designing the ban so that thicker plastic bags can be included in the future if voluntary action isn’t effective,” its response said.

State and federal environment ministers have been working with retailers on plans for a voluntary national phase-out of thick plastic bags for more than 18 months.

Acting Environment Minister Richard Wynne told the Herald Sun this national approach would “help consumers and retailers across the board do their bit to protect the environment and ditch the bag if they wish”.

Thicker plastic bags would be the next to be banned. Picture: AAP Image/Peter Rae

“Victorians are already shunning the use of plastic bags because they create waste and harm the environment, particularly our treasured marine wildlife,” he said.

Ingrid Zhang, 18, said a ban on all plastic bags “wouldn’t affect me too much” and she would be happy to pay for other reusable alternatives.

WHAT DOES PLASTIC BAG BAN MEAN FOR YOU?

Government documents seen by the Herald Sun show a preliminary cost benefit analysis found thick plastic bags would cost about six times less than other reusable alternatives.

Victoria is developing a “plastic pollution action plan” over the next year in consultation with a reference group of government, industry, community and environmental representatives.

“By genuinely engaging with the Victorian community and working cooperatively with other Australian jurisdictions, we are developing a sustainable approach to managing plastic pollution and ensuring the protection of Victoria’s natural environment,” the government said.

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