Retailers across Western Australia are going plastic bag free.

IMPORTANT: 2022 BAG BAN

As of 1 Jan 2022, the WA government is replacing the current bag ban with a state-wide ban on ALL plastic shopping bags, including plastic-laminated paper bags. Additional plastic items, such as straws, cutlery and foodware, will also be banned. Enforcement of the new legislation will commence 1 July 2022.

For more information on the 2022 ban see www.plasticsbanwa.com.au

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 laws affect all retailers – including grocery stores, takeaway food, pharmacies, and even markets.

IMPORTANT: New legislation in 2022 will replace the current ban and will ban all plastic shopping bags regardless of thickness, including plastic-laminated paper bags.

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.

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.

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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

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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.

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See what other retailers are doing

Thousands of retailers in Western Australia have not only stopped supplying lightweight plastic bags, but many have moved to more sustainable options.

The National Retail Association team continues to visit retailers out on the streets in WA ...

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