Worried about the plastic bag ban Australia? Set your mind at ease.
The leaves are falling and change is coming. In the next coming weeks, Western Australia and Queensland are about to be hit with the plastic bag ban Australia. Unlike the chills of winter, we need to meet the change with a warm embrace and prepare for an onslaught of frantically running back to our cars for more bags. Perhaps even purchasing one too many reusable bags and simply giving up and popping overflowing groceries in our handbags or backpacks. However, we must be brave and face this challenge will all our skill and willpower!
Before QLD and WA plunge into the unknown, you’ll want to get as informed as possible. Let’s find out all the facts of the plastic bag ban Australia, the why, how and what comes next.
The need-to-know facts of the plastic ban
When big news hits and the tornado of opinions and info begin, sometimes the facts can get swept up and lost. So, before we dive into the why and how of the plastic bag ban Australia, let’s get some facts straight:
Who is banning plastic bags?
The WA and QLD state governments. In the news, it may seem like the supermarkets have taken this giant step for mankind by their own intuition, however, that’s not the case. The QLD government has introduced plastic bag regulations that will penalise retailers with fines of around $6,300 for supplying plastic bags. Therefore, retailers would be taking an unnecessary risk by not taking note.
Tasmina, Northern Territory, South Australia, ACT, and Victoria have already had the ban in place for several years now. With QLD and WA now following suit, NSW is still without a ban plastic bag policy.
When will the ban be in place?
The ban will commence on the 1st of July 2018. Woolworths is anticipating that all plastic bags will be banned in their stores come the 20th of June.
What is being banned?
Single-use, lightweight plastic bags, even if they are biodegradable. Bags that are made with HDPE plastic or degradable material and have a handle and a thickness under 35 microns. So, supermarkets and other retailers will still be able to supply heavyweight plastic bags (similar to the ones Aldi already uses). The ban also doesn’t apply to plastic bags we use to bag fruit and vegetables.
What is not being banned?
There are a few forms of plastic bags that are not banned, such as garbage bags, bags for unpackaged fruits and veggies, and dog poo bags (phew!).
Who does the ban apply to?
The latest plastic ban in QLD and WA applies to all retailers, including supermarkets and department stores.
And that’s the facts. Now you know what the plastic bags ban Australia is, let’s find out the how and the why.
Why ban plastic bags?
Our rise in population has strained the environment we live in. This includes the oceans, rainforests, and other ecosystems. Globally, we have taken steps to help evaluate the strain on our environment and now more Australian states have taken the plunge. QLD and WA are banning plastics bags on the 1st of July. All retailers will not contribute plastic bags and will instead supply reusable bags for consumers.
The ban aims to reduce Australia’s waste and negative effect on our beautiful environment. The ban also aims to reduce litter and plastic pollution across Australia as well as reduce plastic and it’s harmful impact on the environment.
You may be thinking, “how do plastic bags affect the environment, especially if I mainly reuse mine?” Well, not only does the circulation of plastic bags harm nature and wildlife, but the production of plastic bags is just as harmful. In the production of plastic bags, the main environmental impacts are the use of fossil fuels, marine litter and recycling contamination – leading to recyclables ending up in the landfill. So, the ban not only stops the use of plastic bags but also halts harmful production.
In QLD, close to one billion single-use lightweight plastic shopping bags are used each year. A whopping 16 million of those plastic bags end up as litter. In Australia, 90% of all seabird species have ingested plastic debris and 30% of all sea turtles have ingested plastics. Australia’s wildlife is rich and vibrant, and we need to look after it and make sure it’s around for generations to come.
How to prepare for the plastic bag ban Australia?
We all know that change can be difficult. Especially, when the habit is so ingrained in our daily routine. Some of us may already opt for fabric bags, but majority stick to plastics, whilst imaging the horde of fabric bags either at home or in the car. Habits certainly die hard, but when change is thrust upon us for the common good, we can learn embrace it.
To adjust to the plastic bag ban Australia, let’s treat plastic bags like a bad habit we need to break! We are all in the same boat, so here are some top tips to help prepare for the plastic bag ban Australia:
Substitute the bad habit.
Plastic bags are gone! It’s time to replace them with reusable bags. So, why not start now? The ban isn’t in place for another month, however, you can get into practice by starting now. Start by buying a few reusable bags and leaving them in your car. If you find yourself in a supermarket or retailer without your reusable bags, head back to your car. It may seem tiresome, but it will save you in a long run.
Changing a habit is all about changing every single step of the process. For example, if before you head out to the shops you grab your grocery list from the same spot on the bench, then have your reusable bags sitting nearby, reminding you to take them. Or even put your list inside the bags, that way you’re more likely to remember to take them. And we all know how difficult it is to do a proper shop without that trusted list.
After July 1st, if you don’t have a reusable bag with you, you’ll have to purchase one from the retailer. Then, before you know, you culminate 10 reusable bags without meaning to.
When it comes to breaking a bad habit, cover all your bases. For example, with the plastic bag ban Australia, if you tend to do your shopping on the way home from work and you take public transport, keep a reusable bag with you at work, or carry one in your work bag.
Work together.
Everyone is suffering the same thing you are, so don’t forget you’re not alone. It’s certainly hard to break a bad habit, but you have people around you to support you. Ask your workmates, parents and friends how they are handling the plastic bag ban Australia. Leach their tips and tricks and adapt them to your game plan.
Visualise yourself succeeding!
Giving up a bad habit may seem impossible, but don’t give up in the face of a daunting task. Instead, visualise yourself succeeding. Imagine yourself strolling into your local supermarket with a reusable bag, your head held high and a warm feeling in your heart.
So, mark the date in your calendars and get ready to ditch that bad plastic habit!
Will banning plastic bags help our pledge to fix the environmental crisis?
The issue is certainly up for debate. The question at the heart of this debate is whether thick durable plastic bags (still available for purchase in most supermarkets) are any better for the environment. The answer depends on our usage.
If we don’t opt for fabric, tote-like bags for our groceries, and simply use the heavy duty plastic bags at the same rate as regular plastic bags, then the environmental impacts could be worse. A study conducted in the UK indicates that you need to reuse heavy-duty bags four times to reverse the negative impact on the environment. Heavy duty bags may take longer to break down, and both are harmful if they reach the ocean. Many scientific experts say that using heavy-duty reusable bags is only a short-term solution.
The golden rule for all things environmental is to reuse them. So, if you do have to use heavy-duty bags, reuse them as much as you can! A Zero Waste report found that if all Australian households committed to switching to green bags, 2,200 trucks filled to the brim with garbage would not end up in the landfill, 42,000 tones greenhouse gases would be eliminated, and 50,000 litres of water saved.
Cotton bags are also another great option, as they are easy to reuse. However, reports estimate that you need to reuse cotton bags at least 130 times to reduce greenhouse gases. Furthermore, when you purchase a cotton bag, commit to it – don’t leave it hanging.
How does the world compare?
Countries across the globe have committed to plastic bag ban initiatives. These include African states, Asia, South America, Demark, Ireland, Italy, Wales, Scotland, Germany, England and some states in North America. Denmark was the first country to introduce plastic bag tax in 1994, reducing the plastic bag usage by 50%. Collectivity the EU and Asia have large, widespread policies on banning plastic usage.
What’s next?
As a community, we can all do our part to keep working to preserve the environment for future generations.
For Australia, the next step may be banning the use of single-use plastic straws. With the recent announcement of the plastic ban, momentum is growing for The Last Straw campaign. Tourism operates in QLD support the campaign to help protect the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Straws easily find their way into the mouths of innocent (and adorable) seabirds, turtles and other marine life.
Let’s stay in touch
The plastic bag ban Australia is coming and it’s time to prepare. So, don’t forget to (reasonably) stock up on reusable green bags.
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