THE WA BAG BAN
The Western Australian Government introduced a ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags from 1 July 2018.
From 1 January 2019 it is illegal for any retailer in Western Australia to provide lightweight plastic shopping bags.
The ban applies to all lightweight plastic shopping bags which have a thickness of 35 microns or less, including degradable, biodegradable and compostable bags. The new laws affect all retailers – including grocery stores, takeaway food, pharmacies, and even markets.
The National Retail Association has partnered with the Western Australian government to help retailers navigate the new compliance issues, find alternative bag solutions, and to help retailers manage consumer sentiment to minimise negative impacts on their businesses.
NRA launches state-wide campaign
Report a suspected banned bag
From 1 January 2019, you can report a bag you suspect to be a banned bag via the button below. The report takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Please check which bags are banned and which are allowed before making a report.
Provide your feedback
During implementation of the lightweight plastic bag ban the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) supported consumers and retailers with an education campaign and range of materials. With the ban now in place, the Department is evaluating the effectiveness of the campaign and materials. The evaluation will identify key learnings and will inform future initiatives.
Retailers in WA are invited to provide feedback via the survey link below. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes of your time.
ABOUT THE BAN
The WA bag ban legislation bans retailers from supplying lightweight plastic shopping bags, 35 microns or less thick, including degradable, biodegradable or compostable bags...
RESOURCES
The NRA has created a large range of resources such as fact-sheets, staff training kits and official signage to assist retailers transitioning away from lightweight plastic bags...
CASE STUDIES
Sometimes the best way to decide what you should do is to see what other retailers from similar categories or regions are doing to prepare for the bag ban...
KEY DATES FOR RETAILERS
Fines apply for anyone who provides false or misleading information about a banned bag.
Retailers must phase out existing stocks of banned bags by
31 December 2018.
Substantial fines apply for retailers that provide banned bags to customers.
See what other retailers are doing
Retailers all over Australia are making the move away from lightweight plastic shopping bags...
LATEST NEWS
People ‘eating a credit card’ each week, new study reveals
