Ban on plastic bags from 1 July 2019

Single-use plastic shopping bags have already been phased out from supermarkets and large retailers, and from 1 July 2019, they will be banned for all businesses.

Here’s what you need to know to make the transition.

The ban covers any plastic shopping bags that are:

• made of any type of plastic less than 70 microns in thickness

• equipped with carry handles

• new or unused

• provided for carrying sold goods

• made of bio-based materials such as starch

• made of plastics that are degradable, biodegradable or oxo-degradable.

Bio-based plastic bags are included in the ban because even though they are made from plants, their manufacturing process prevents them from breaking down as quickly or easily as their original source.