Are you ready for the plastic bag ban on 1 July 2018?

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it will be illegal for retailers to provide lightweight plastic bags with handles and a thickness of 35 microns or less – this also includes biodegradable, degradable and compostable bags. Produce bags, nappy bags or dog poo bags are not included in the ban.   Retailers may provide you with paper bags, boxes, heavier weight (department store) plastic bags, or may choose to charge you for reusable bags. To prepare yourself, stock up on enough reusable shopping bags for your weekly shop and start using them now to create habit. Return them back to your car boot or door so that you will never forget them.   Some other handy hints to consider:

Bin liners - either purchase bin liners, reuse old dog food bags or other plastic packaging or try this nifty newspaper bin liner tutorial. Keep a fold-up reusable bag in your handbag, glove box or gym bag. Compost to minimise wet food waste. Set up a dog poo worm farm. Retailers will be abiding by a law in not supplying bags. The reason for the plastic bag ban is to protect our environment from plastic pollution.

For more information on the State Government's plastic bag ban, please visit the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation's website.