The Western Australian (WA) Government is calling on the public to stop using plastic bags before the ban on lightweight, single-use plastic bags takes effect on 1 July this year.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and the Boomerang Alliance is requesting people to give their feedback on the proposed plastic bag ban.
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People can submit their opinions via an online survey or by written submission.
The ban will apply to all retailers, including supermarkets, corner stores, takeaway food outlets and restaurants, sports stores, department stores, hardware stores, appliance stores, butchers, bakeries and market vendors.
According to a survey conducted last year, 84% of WA households supported a ban on lightweight, single-use plastic bags that pose a risk to both public health and marine life.
WA environment minister Stephen Dawson said: “The government’s plastic bag ban is widely supported by the community and industry.
“Major supermarkets – Coles, Woolworths and IGA – intend to ban lightweight, single-use plastic bags while some retailers, including Bunnings and Aldi, already support the ban by not offering these bags to customers.
“This government is committed to reducing the amount of waste generated, increasing the amount of material recovered and reducing the disposal of waste to landfill, as well as decreasing littering. This initiative will help us achieve these goals.”
Last year alone, more than 360 million single-use plastic bags were used in Western Australia.
