Plastic bag bans in Australia explained

Plastic bag bans in Australia were implemented in the early 21st century by the country’s states and territories, rather than through federal law. The intent of the bans is to help reduce the amount of plastic pollution in the environment, both in and around Australia and globally.

In 2003, the Tasmanian town of Coles Bay was the first location in Australia to ban plastic bags.[1] Although in 2008 the then-Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced the Rudd Government's goal of a nationwide plastic bag ban by year's end, he later abandoned the initiative due to cost of living concerns and disagreement about the policy among state and territory governments.[2] [3] This led to states and territories pursuing their own approaches.[4]

The introduction of the "Zero Waste" program in South Australia led to the first statewide lightweight bag ban being introduced in October 2008. It is estimated that this move has saved 400 million bags annually.[5] Victoria implemented their lightweight bag ban in November 2019, then finally NSW was the very last jurisdiction in Australia that implemented a lightweight bag ban effective from 1 June 2022.

Since 2018, the country's two largest supermarket chains, Coles and Woolworths, voluntarily removed free lightweight plastic bags from their stores and began charging for thicker reusable plastic bags instead.[6] The reusable bags were sold at 15 cents in both chains.[7] By December 2018, the supermarket phase-out led to an estimated 80% drop in the use of plastic bags nationwide, leading to 1.5 billion fewer bags entering the environment.[8]

Background

In Australia, 6 billion HDPE bags were used in 2002.[9] Usage reduced to 5.6 billion in 2004[10] and 3.9 billion in 2007. According to Keep Australia Beautiful's 2015–16 National Litter Index, plastic bags made up 1% of the country's litter.[11] [12] In 2016 environmental groups expressed their concern that Australia was lagging other countries in the phase-out of lightweight plastic bags, including Botswana, Somalia and Tanzania.[13] In 2016 it was estimated that of the 5 billion plastic bags used annually by Australians, 150 million ended up as litter.

In April 2017, The Project and Clean Up Australia launched a Change.org petition for the premiers of the three states without plastic bag bans – Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia – to "ban the bag".[14] After a segment on The Project about the petition, #BanTheBag became the top trending topic on Twitter. In February 2018, a motion was put in the Australian Federal Parliament calling for a nationwide ban of lightweight non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags.[15] Senate inquiries into recycling and marine plastic pollution also led to tripartisan recommendations by the Liberal, Labor and Greens parties to ban all single-use plastics in the country by 2023 and for all states and territories to ban plastic bags.[16] [17]

Plastic bag bans by state/territory

Summary

JurisdictionLightweight plastic bags banned?data-sort-type="date" Commencement date
South Australia4 May 2009[18]
Northern Territory1 September 2011[19] [20]
Australian Capital Territory1 November 2011[21]
Tasmania1 November 2013[22]
Queensland1 July 2018[23]
Western Australia1 July 2018[24]
Victoria1 November 2019[25]
New South Wales1 June 2022[26] [27]

South Australia

The Plastic Shopping Bags (Waste Avoidance) Bill passed the Parliament of South Australia on 13 November 2008, with a transitional period of 1 January to 4 May 2009.[28] With an official start date of 4 May 2009, South Australia was the first state or territory in Australia to ban plastic bags at the checkout, with retailers facing fines of up to $5,000 for distributing banned bags and retailer suppliers fined up to $20,000.[29] The ban does not extend to heavier plastic bags or fruit and vegetable bags.[29]

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory banned plastic bags with effect from 1 September 2011.[30] Biodegradable and heavier bags remain legal.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT was the second jurisdiction after South Australia to pass a law banning plastic bags,[31] with the ban entering into effect on 1 November 2011.[32] Plastic barrier bags for fruit and vegetables are exempt.[33]

Tasmania

In 2003 Coles Bay was the first Australian town to completely ban non-biodegradable plastic bags.[34] In November 2010 a Greens motion introduced to Tasmania's parliament to ban plastic bags received tripartisan support from Labor, the Liberals and the Greens.[35] A statewide ban began on 1 November 2013.[36] A 2015 review found widespread support for the ban but a mixed environmental impact.[37]

Queensland

In November 2016 the Queensland Government announced it would ban plastic bags from 2018, after the Opposition promised that it would implement a ban if it won the next state election.[38] [39] The implementing legislation passed the Queensland Parliament on 6 September 2017, accompanied by a container refund recycling scheme.[40] Both initiatives are due to take effect on 1 July 2018.

Western Australia

Two attempts by the City of Fremantle in 2013 and 2015 to introduce a citywide plastic bag ban were blocked through disallowance motions moved in the Western Australian Legislative Council.[41] In September 2017, the Western Australian Government announced it would commence a statewide plastic bag ban on 1 July 2018.[42] [43] As of 1 July 2022, any type of plastic bag is now banned.[44]

Victoria

In mid-2017, Victoria's state government expressed its preference for a national ban, while confirming it would be open to a state-level ban in the future.[45] In October 2017, Daniel Andrews stated that Victoria would introduce a ban on plastic bags, with the start date to be announced in early 2018 after consultation with industry and the community.[46] [47] The Government subsequently announced the plastic bag ban would commence by 1 November 2019.[48]

New South Wales

In 2017, Premier Gladys Berejiklian stated that no regulation was needed because retailers responsible for 80% of plastic bags in the state (Coles, Woolworths, and Harris Farm) would voluntarily stop providing free plastic bags themselves.[49] In October 2019, the Berejiklian Government blocked a Labor Party bill that would ban plastic bags, arguing that its plastic waste reduction discussion paper should be released first.[50] The discussion paper was released in March 2020, and included a proposed plastic bag ban, which was likely to come into effect in 2021 following community consultation.

In November 2021, a bill finally passed into law to explicitly legally ban single-use plastics throughout NSW. The law went into legal effect on 1 June 2022.[51] [26]

Retailer positions

Aldi has never offered free plastic bags to customers since opening its first Australian store in 2001.[52] Customers are charged 15 cents for a thick plastic bag and more for fabric or cooler bags. In 2009 Target Australia announced it would stop giving out free bags in its stores, instead charging 10 cents per bag.[53] In 2013 Target again began providing free bags, stating that it had received about 500 formal customer complaints per year about the lack of free bags. In 2019 Target and its sister chain Kmart Australia withdrew single use plastic bags nationwide.[54] [55] Bunnings Warehouse has charged 10 cents for plastic bags since 2003, while IKEA stopped offering free bags in 2013.[56] [57]

In 2017 the country's largest supermarket chains, Woolworths and Coles, announced that they would stop providing free plastic bags to customers nationwide in 2018, and would sell thicker plastic bags for 15 cents each.[58] Withdrawing free bags is expected to save the retailers $170 million per year in reduced packaging costs while creating a revenue stream from selling thicker plastic bags.

The move was criticised by conservative commentators including Andrew Bolt[59] and Steve Price.[60] The loss of free bags also sparked backlash from some consumers, with several stealing shopping baskets or trolleys in protest and reports of abuse or assault towards staff.[61] [62] [63] Criticisms include the continued overuse of plastic by retailers, poor quality of the replacement bags and allegations that the true motive was profiteering.[64] Marketing academics described the backlash as caused by the retailers breaking the perceived "psychological contract" with consumers to either provide free plastic bags or otherwise remove plastic throughout the store for environmental benefit, rather than merely charging for something that had previously been provided without additional charge.[65]

In response to customer backlash Coles reversed its position, offering to provide reusable plastic bags for free indefinitely in most states.[66] [67] [68] This led to criticism from Greenpeace, Craig Reucassel and other environmentalists, causing Coles to reverse its reversal and announce it would again charge for bags from 29 August 2018 onwards.[69] [70] Woolworths also extended the timeframe for providing free plastic bags, until 8 July 2018.[71] By December 2018, the National Retail Association estimated that plastic bag consumption fell by 80% nationwide as a result of the major supermarket withdrawal of free bags, leading to 1.5 billion fewer bags entering the environment.[72]

Harris Farms ceased providing free plastic bags in January 2018, instead offering free reusable paper bags or recycled boxes to consumers.[73] Craveable Brands also moved to phase out single-use plastic bags in its Oporto, Red Rooster and Chicken Treat chains by July 2018.

In April 2023, Woolworths announced the phasing out of 15 cent reusable plastic bags, which was followed suit by Coles in May.[74] [75]

Alternatives to plastic bags

A side-effect of the plastic bag ban observed in South Australia was the increased use of bin liners, which have a greater environmental impact than plastic bags as they do not break down well in modern landfills.[76] Environmentally-friendly alternatives suggested instead of bin liners include composting food scraps and using free community newspapers as liners instead.

A 2007 report into shopping bag alternatives[77] noted that paper bags were less environmentally friendly than plastic bags due to a higher carbon footprint.[78] Similarly, cotton bags were unsuitable due to the pesticides used and high volume of water needed to create them. The "greenest" option was using recycled plastic bags.

Concern has been expressed about potential unintended adverse health outcomes associated with the plastic bag ban rollout due to the lack of care by consumers in maintaining alternative shopping bags in a clean and healthy condition. Overseas experiences in locations such as San Francisco, where increased illness and even deaths were reported in the aftermath of similar bans to those in Australian states, suggest that this is a real concern.[79]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tasmania carries eco-fight, bans plastic bags. 29 April 2003. Mail & Guardian. 3 July 2012.
  2. News: Garrett calls time on plastic bags. 13 September 2017. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 January 2008. en-AU.
  3. News: Feneley. Rick. Battle to bag the plastic goes on. 13 September 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 26 December 2008.
  4. News: Darby. Andrew. Ban on plastic bags spreads to Tasmania. 13 September 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 12 November 2010.
  5. Web site: Plastic Bag Ban. 28 February 2011. Zero Waste South Australia. 2 July 2012.
  6. News: Slezak. Michael. Woolworths and Coles to phase out single-use plastic bags. 13 September 2017. The Guardian. 14 July 2017.
  7. News: Zhou . Naaman . Coles and Woolworths' plastic bag ban and the choices that remain . 29 May 2019 . The Guardian . 5 June 2018.
  8. News: Khalil . Shireen . Ban leads to '80 percent drop' in plastic bag consumption . 2 May 2019 . News.com.au . Australian Associated Press . News Corp Australia . 2 December 2018.
  9. Web site: Plastic bags. 5 November 2009. Australian Government. 1 July 2012.
  10. Web site: Plastic Bag Fact Sheet. 9 November 2005. Sustainability Victoria. 1 July 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20130903152738/http://www.ecorecycle.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/Plastic_Bag_Free_Challenge_-_Factsheet.pdf. 3 September 2013. dead.
  11. News: Thornton . Trevor . In banning plastic bags we need to make sure we're not creating new problems . 14 October 2018 . The Conversation . 21 July 2017 . en.
  12. News: Christian . Natasha . Why Australia may not be ready to ban plastic bags . 14 October 2018 . SBS News . 5 April 2018.
  13. News: Cormack. Lucy. Australia falling behind third world on global map of plastic bag bans. 13 September 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 9 April 2016.
  14. News: Waleed Aly calls for nationwide ban. 13 September 2017. News.com.au. News Corp Australia. 20 April 2017.
  15. Web site: Plastic bag ban motion in Federal Parliament.
  16. News: Zhou . Naaman . All single-use plastics should be banned by 2023 Senate inquiry recommends . 14 October 2018 . The Guardian . 26 June 2018 . en.
  17. News: Cormack . Lucy . Plastic bag ban among recommendations by marine plastic senate inquiry . 14 October 2018 . The Sydney Morning Herald . 20 April 2016 . en.
  18. News: Williamson. Brett. SA's plastic bag ban. 13 September 2017. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 April 2009. en-AU.
  19. Web site: Plastic bag ban. Northern Territory Government. 13 September 2017. en. 27 January 2016.
  20. News: La Canna. Xavier. Fewer plastic shopping bags used in NT since ban introduced. 13 September 2017. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 September 2014. en-AU.
  21. Web site: Plastic bag ban. Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate. ACT Government. 13 September 2017. en. 6 July 2017.
  22. Web site: Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2013 - EPA Tasmania. Environment Protection Authority. Tasmanian Government. 13 September 2017. en-AU.
  23. News: Queensland bans single-use plastic bags from July 2018. 13 September 2017. The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 5 September 2017.
  24. News: Kagi. Jacob. 'The time has come': Plastic bags to be banned in WA next year. 13 September 2017. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 September 2017. en-AU.
  25. Web site: The alternatives to plastic bags. Victoria. Sustainability. www.sustainability.vic.gov.au. en. 2019-10-17.
  26. Web site: Single use plastics banned under new law . 16 November 2021 . NSW Government . November 30, 2021.
  27. News: Smith . Alexandra . NSW to join all other states in banning single-use plastic bags . 11 March 2020 . The Sydney Morning Herald . Nine Newspapers . 8 March 2020 . en.
  28. News: Macfarlane. Melanie. South Australia bans plastic shopping bags. 23 January 2018. G-Online. Green Lifestyle Magazine. 14 November 2008.
  29. News: $20,000 for the wrong shopping bag. 24 September 2017. News.Com.Au. Australian Associated Press. 21 April 2009.
  30. News: Brennan. Bridget. Liston. Gail. Plastic bag ban begins in Territory shops. 24 September 2017. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 September 2011. en-AU.
  31. News: Hayne. Jordan. What difference did the plastic bag ban make to Canberra's waste?. 13 September 2017. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 April 2017. en-AU.
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  33. News: Boland-Rudder. Hamish. Knaus. Christopher. Study links plastic bag ban with increase in food-related deaths. 24 September 2017. Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. 8 February 2013.
  34. News: Tas town pushes for nationwide bag ban. 24 September 2017. News.Com.Au. 28 April 2013.
  35. News: Tasmania to ban plastic shopping bags. 24 September 2017. News.Com.Au. AAP.
  36. News: Kempton. Helen. Tasmania's shoppers adjust quickly to ban on plastic bags as new regulations kick in. 24 September 2017. The Mercury. 1 November 2013.
  37. News: Paine. Michelle. Jury still out on plastic bag success. 24 September 2017. The Mercury. 14 March 2015.
  38. News: Wiggins. Nick. Queensland to ban single-use plastic bags from 2018. 24 September 2017. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 November 2016. en-AU.
  39. News: Queensland to ban plastic shopping bags from 2018. 24 September 2017. The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 25 November 2016.
  40. News: Branco. Jorge. Queensland's plastic bag ban is official, along with recycling refund. 24 September 2017. Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. 5 September 2017.
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  42. News: Trigger. Rebecca. How will WA's plastic bag ban work?. 13 September 2017. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 September 2017. en-AU.
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  44. Web site: Western Australia's Plan for Plastics | Western Australian Government . 5 January 2024 .
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  53. News: Sharp . Rosemary Anne . Target's plastic bag backdown a loss for the silent majority . 14 October 2018 . The Conversation . 3 October 2013 . en.
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  60. News: Graham . Ben . Steve Price lets fly in an on-air rant about the plastic bag ban . 14 October 2018 . News.com.au . News Corp Australia . 20 June 2018.
  61. News: Chung . Frank . 'My free reusable bag': Coles customer steals shopping basket to protest plastic bag ban . 14 October 2018 . News.com.au . News Corp Australia . 3 July 2018.
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  63. News: Brook . Benedict . Coles to open every checkout on Sunday as staff union warns customers could become abusive due to plastic bag ban . 14 October 2018 . News.com.au . News Corp Australia . 29 June 2018.
  64. News: Chung . Frank . 'They don't really understand consumers at all' . 29 May 2019 . News.com.au . News Corp Australia . 2 July 2018.
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  66. News: Stuart . Riley . Mayers . Lily . Salmon . Gregor . 'Caved too quickly': Coles under fire for backing down on plastic bag ban . 14 October 2018 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 1 August 2018 . en-AU.
  67. News: Coles' plastic bag 'flip-flop' disrespects consumers, waste body says . 14 October 2018 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 1 August 2018 . en-AU.
  68. News: Borg . Kim . Ip . Edwin . hy Coles' plastic bag backflip leaves us worse off than before . 14 October 2018 . The Conversation . 1 August 2018.
  69. News: Zhou . Naaman . Woolworths sticks with plastic bag ban, despite Coles reversal . 14 October 2018 . The Guardian . 1 August 2018 . en.
  70. News: Coles to stop handing out free plastic bags — again . 14 October 2018 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 2 August 2018 . en-AU.
  71. News: Cunningham . Melissa . 'Bringing reusable bags has been a challenge': Woolworths backflip on plastic bags . 14 October 2018 . The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Media . 28 June 2018 . en.
  72. News: Supermarket ban 'sees 80pc drop' in plastic bags nationwide . 2 May 2019 . ABC News . Australian Associated Press . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 3 December 2018 . en-AU.
  73. News: Harris Farms leads the charge in plastic bag-free movement - Packaging News . 14 October 2018 . Packaging News . 30 January 2018 . en.
  74. News: Woolworths to phase out 15c plastic bags nationwide . Slade . Lucy . Nine News . 17 April 2023 . 30 May 2023.
  75. News: Coles to stop selling soft-plastic shopping bags by end of June . The Guardian . 10 May 2023 . 30 May 2023.
  76. News: Chung. Frank. Plastic bag ban: 'You don't actually need a plastic bin liner to put your rubbish out'. 23 January 2018. News.com.au. NewsCorp Australia. 18 July 2017.
  77. Dili . Rae . 18 April 2007 . Comparison of existing life cycle analysis of shopping bag alternatives: Final Report . Sustainability Victoria . 23 January 2018.
  78. Adler. Ben. Banning Plastic Bags Is Great for the World, Right? Not So Fast. 23 January 2018. WIRED. 10 June 2016.
  79. News: Study links plastic bag ban with increase in food-related deaths. 7 March 2018. Canberra Times. 8 February 2013.

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