The National Retail Association performed consumer research in 2018 after the QLD bag ban was introduced and after major supermarkets ceased offering lightweight plastic bags nationwide. We asked consumers what they were willing to pay for a bag if they forgot their own bag. View the research results > In addition, retailers that have introduced…

Last week, legislation was introduced to parliament which will ban lightweight, single-use plastic shopping bags across Victoria from 1 November this year. The official tabled Environment Protection Amendment Bill 2019 is available to view (see here).   Generally, the legislation is consistent with bag bans in other states, particularly that introduced in QLD and WA,…

Retailers that are weighing up alternative bag options should firstly consider whether you need to offer a bag at all. If you do plan to supply bags to customers, here’s a few important questions to assess how sustainable the options are. Materials Is it just one material or a blend of materials? Bags made from…

The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister for Solar Homes Media release: Victorian Government Wednesday 19 June Lightweight, single-use plastic shopping bags will be banned across Victoria from 1 November this year, under new legislation introduced to parliament today by the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Environment Lily D’Ambrosio said the ban was…

A new study finds on average people could be ingesting approximately 5 grams of plastic every week, which is the equivalent weight of a credit card. By: Dr Thava Palanisami The analysis No Plastic in Nature: Assessing Plastic Ingestion from Nature to People prepared by Dalberg, based on a study commissioned by WWF and carried…

Retailers of all types and sizes will face decisions over the next few months as they prepare for the Victorian bag ban. If your organisation has contact with local retail businesses, including food outlets and markets, you can help ensure businesses have the right information and advice they need. Retailers can also help by ensuring…

From Wednesday 11 April 2018, South Melbourne Market will introduce a ban on single-use plastic bags. This is a significant step in moving towards a greener, more sustainable future.

The National Retail Association is urging Victorian food retailers to start preparing now for the state-wide plastic bag ban that will be implemented later this year. The ban will apply to all retailers – not only supermarkets – including food businesses such as butchers, convenience stores, and takeaway restaurants. NRA Manager for Policy David Stout…

The National Retail Association (NRA) has today announced that it will partner with the Victorian Government ahead of the state’s ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags due to come into effect by the end of 2019. With Victoria introducing a ban, all Australian states and territories, except NSW, will have bag bans in place by…

Road built with plastic bags and glass in Australian-first Source: Hume City Council Soft plastics from approximately 200,000 plastic bags and packaging, and 63,000 glass bottle equivalents will be diverted from landfill to construct a Victorian road in an Australian-first trial. Downer and Hume City Council have partnered with resource recovery and recycling companies Close…