Lightweight plastic shopping bags will be banned in Victoria from 1 November.
Victorians have used over 1 billion plastic shopping bags every year. The majority of these bags end up in landfill and around 10 million end up as litter, polluting our environment and endangering our wildlife.
The ban applies to any person or business that sells goods in trade or commerce – including online stores and markets. The legislation also prohibits any person (such as a supplier or manufacturer) from providing false or misleading information about whether a bag is compliant. Fines will apply.
Banned bags include all lightweight (less than 35 micron) plastic bags including biodegradable and compostable lightweight plastic bags.
Barrier bags for fruit, vegetables meat and fish, garbage bags and bin liners and animal waste bags are not banned.
The new legislation intends to encourage a shift towards more durable and reusable bags. If you are going shopping, take your own thick plastic bags, green bags (woven polypropylene) or hessian bags (such as your “I’m helping reduce food waste in Bayside” green bag.
