Critical dates for shoppers

1 January 2009

Remember to BYO when lightweight, checkout-style plastic bags are phased out.

• Retailers are starting to phase-out stocks of lightweight plastic bags in preparation for the ban starting on 4 May 2009.
• You can help retail workers by not overfilling or using dirty bags when you go shopping.
• The ban applies to lightweight, checkout-style plastic bags.
• Bags which are not banned include heavier department store bags, ‘barrier’ bags used for fruit and vegetables, compostable bags (which meet the Australian Standard) and paper bags.

4 May 2009

The bag ban is enforced.

• Fines will apply to retailers who either sell or give away the banned plastic bags.
• Customers cannot be fined if a retailer supplies a banned plastic bag to them.