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Use of lightweight plastic shopping bags in ACT
Thursday 16 June 2011
If you’re a retailer in the ACT and provide plastic shopping bags for your customers, you will soon need to provide alternative options.
From 1 July 2011 single-use, lightweight plastic bags are being phased out. During 1 July – 31 October, you can still provide those types of bags but you must also:
- have an alternative shopping bag available
- display a notice where you make plastic bags available with specific wording explaining the upcoming changes.
From 1 November 2011 the ban will come into full effect and you will not be allowed to provide any banned plastic shopping bags to your customers.
Which bags will be banned?
Single-use, lightweight polyethylene plastic bags that are 35 microns or less in thickness will be banned. If you’re not sure what type and thickness of plastic bags you provide, contact your supplier.
Which bags will be allowed?
The types of bags you will be allowed to provide include:
- ‘barrier’ bags such as the type dispensed from a roll, typically used for items such as loose fruit and vegetables
- heavier retail (or boutique) bags typically used by clothing and department stores
- sturdy bags designed for multiple use, such as ‘green’ bags
- compostable biodegradable bags that state they meet Australian Standard AS 4736-2006
- paper bags.
For more information on the plastic bag ban and what action you will need to take, visit the ACT Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate website.