Frequently Asked Questions

When will the ban start?

The ban will come into full effect on 1 November 2011.
Single-use, lightweight polyethylene plastic bags (35 microns or less) cannot be provided by retailers for carrying goods starting on 1 November 2011. 

Retailers will be able to charge for alternative bags that they supply.

Will there be a transition period before the ban comes into effect?

Yes. The transition to the ban starts on 1 July 2011 and will continue for four months. This transition period will allow retailers to gear up for the change, provide shoppers with alternatives to plastic bags and help consumers adjust. 

Lightweight, plastic shopping bags can still be provided during this period, but retailers must:

- have an alternative shopping bag available for your customers; and

- display a notice where the retailer makes a plastic shopping bag available with the following wording:

The ACT Government will ban the supply of lightweight checkout-style plastic shopping bags, starting on 1 November 2011.

Alternative shopping bags are available from this retail outlet.

The minimum size for the notice is 95mm (height) x 150mm (width), unless an electronic message of this size or larger is used on the cash register screen. To download this notice, click here.

What bags can be used during the transition?

During the transition period, if a retailer provides single-use plastic shopping bags for carrying goods, alternatives must also be made available. The alternative bag can be, for example, a biodegradable bag that meets the Australian Standard for biodegradability (AS 4736-2006), or a reusable bag designed to be used regularly over a period of approximately two years.

What can't I do from 1 November 2011?

Once the plastic bag ban comes into force on 1 November 2011, retailers are not allowed to provide any banned plastic shopping bags to a customer.

Which bags will be banned?

The plastic bag ban will prohibit you providing single-use, lightweight polyethylene plastic bags (35 microns or less). Check with your supplier if you are unsure about the composition or thickness of your bags.

Which bags are allowed?

‘Barrier’ bags, the type dispensed from a roll, typically for items such as loose fruit and vegetables.

Heavier retail (or boutique) bags typically used by clothing and department stores.

Sturdy bags designed for multiple use such as ‘green’ bags.

Compostable biodegradable bags that state they meet Australian Standard AS 4736-2006.

Paper bags.

What about degradable bags?

A range of bags claim to be degradable in different conditions. Some degradable bags are made partly or wholly of polyethylene. Only compostable biodegradable bags that meet Australian Standard AS 4736-2006 are excluded from the proposed ban. These bags are usually made of some form of starch or other compostable material.

Will the ban apply to all retailers?

Yes. Every retailer will need to comply and the transition and ban dates will be the same across the ACT. Large and small retailers, supermarket and non-supermarket retailers and take-away food shops, farmers markets and other markets will all be affected by the ban.

What if a supplier misrepresents the bags they sell?

Retailers are protected from unknowingly buying banned bags and supplying them to their customers. If a supplier provides you with bags they know are banned, they will be guilty of an offence. 

Retailers should ensure that the environmental benefits claimed by businesses supplying compostable bags are substantiated and do not contravene principles outlined in the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s publication Green Marketing and the Trade Practices Act.

How can you help your staff explain the ban?

Display notices explaining the change. Place the counter-top card at the register to remind customers about the ban and to prompt them to bring reusable bags. Remind customers the ban has been introduced by the ACT Government and is being applied to all retailers in the Territory. Explain that this ban is helping to protect the environment and wildlife by reducing the litter and damage caused by lightweight, plastic shopping bags. Offer an alternative, compliant bag for customer-use. Refer the customer to this website or Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
 
What about bin liners?

Bin liners will not be banned. However, plastic bags to line bins will no longer be available.

While there is no one simple replacement for bin liners, we can be most environmentally friendly by reducing waste, especially by putting food and organic waste in a compost bin.

Alternatively, other types of plastic bags can be reused to wrap rubbish, such as bread bags or barrier bags. Recommend compostable bags.
 
How will the community learn about the ban?

A Territory-wide advertising campaign will start in May 2011 and run until November 2011. 

The advertising will advise customers of the ban, remind them to bring reusable bags when they shop and to be patient with retail staff during the change. The advertisements will appear on radio and in newspapers as well as posters in libraries, shopfronts and shopping centres. 

Will there be any Advisory Group to assist the Government with Implementation of the ban?

The ACT Government invited retailers, peak retail bodies and local associations from within the ACT to join the Plastic Bag Advisory Group (PBAG) to ensure effective communication around the intent and scope of the ban.

The Government will continue to work with retailers and unions through the Advisory Group to promote a smooth transition of the bags and to ensure risks for shop assistants are minimised.

Do biodegradable bags need to have markings on them that state they comply with the AS?

Yes. Biodegradable bags must state that they meet the Australian Standard AS 4736-2006 and if requested, retailers providing these bags must be able to validate their compliance with the standard by providing certification from the supplier/manufacturer.

What happens if bags are found not to be biodegradable?

Retailers should ensure that the environmental benefits claimed by businesses supplying biodegradable bags are substantiated and do not contravene principles outlined in the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) publication Green marketing and the Trade Practices Act.

I ordered a shipment of biodegradable bags but the shipment has been delayed until late July – is there any leniency?

During the transition period from 1 July 2011 to 1 November 2011, retailers can continue to supply lightweight plastic bags of 35 microns or less but if they do so, they must supply an alternative bag so that customers have a choice. Retailers are able to charge customers for these alternative bags. I understand that your shipment of biodegradable bags has been delayed but there is no flexibility on this. Retailers supplying plastic bags must also display a notice that alternative bags are available.