Victorian Government plastic bag reduction trial

The Victorian Government, in partnership with the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA), Coles, Safeway and IGA, is committed to reducing the number of single-use lightweight plastic checkout bags used throughout the state.
 
Between 18 August and 14 September 2008 a 10 cent government and industry charge was placed on plastic checkout bags from Coles, Bi-Lo, Safeway and IGA in Warrnambool, Wangaratta and in and around Fountain Gate. Read more about the trial at the link at the bottom at the page.

Find alternatives

• Say no to bags at the register, especially if you only have a few items.
• Use reusable bags, boxes, shopping trolleys or a backpack for your shopping.
• Ask the check-out operator not to put items that already have handles (e.g. dog food, nappies, cordial bottles) into bags.
• Take your old plastic bags to your local supermarket for recycling the next time you go shopping.

Understand the issues

• Victorians use around 1 billion lightweight plastic checkout bags each year.
• Plastic bags waste valuable resources and create unnecessary rubbish.
• They are a short term convenience with long term impacts.
• Many supermarkets, local councils and community groups have already reduced their use of plastic bags, more can be done.

Follow up the information

Businesses can find information on alternatives to plastic bags as well as the 'Say No to Plastic Bags' campaign on the Say No to Plastic Bags website (see link below).  

More information on the Australian government policies can be found on the Environment Protection and Heritage Council site (see link below) for more information.  

Read recent reports on plastic bags at the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage & the Arts website (see link below).