WA will ban lightweight plastic bags on 1 July

From 1 July 2018, the supply of lightweight plastic bags will be banned in Western Australia.

The ban will apply to all lightweight, plastic bags with handles – less than 36 microns, including degradable, biodegradable and compostable plastic bags.

Every year billions of lightweight plastic shopping bags are supplied nationally, with around seven million littered in WA alone. A survey of WA households in November 2017 found that most people (more than 90%) are concerned about the impacts of plastic on our environment and support a state-wide ban on plastic bags (84%).

The ban will come into effect on 1 July 2018 however retailers have until 1 January 2019 to phase-out banned bags. Suppliers must not mislead retailers about banned bags from 1 July or they could face substantial fines. The NRA recommends that retailers cease ordering banned bags by 1 July 2018 and phase these out completely by Christmas.

Find out more about the WA bag ban here >