This page will answer some of the questions you may have.

• How many plastic bags are used in Australia every year?
• What do Australians think about plastic bags?
• Why do I need to reduce the amount of plastic bags used in my outlet(s)?
• Is it going to cost my business money?
• What do I put wet and messy items in like fish, meat and leaking sauces?
• Can I use biodegradable bags?

How many plastic bags are used in Australia every year?

20 million Australians are currently using around 5 billion plastic check-out bags every year. That’s nearly 1 plastic bag per person per day, or 345 bags per person every year.

That so few people can use so much plastic for disposable bags says a lot about the wasteful habits of today’s Australians.

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What do Australians think about plastic bags?

Over 50% of people questioned were particularly concerned about the impact of plastic bags on wildlife.

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Why do I need to reduce the amount of plastic bags used in my outlet(s)?

The plastic bag may not be the worst thing affecting our environment but it has become a powerful symbol of consumerism gone wild.

Under the Australian Retailers Association Code of Practice for the Management of Plastic Carry Bags, retailers are committed to reduce plastic bag use by 50% by the end of 2005.

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Is it going to cost my business money?

The idea is that retailers never pay for shopping bags again. Shoppers can reuse bags or boxes for shopping. Retailers can offer plastic bag alternatives for sale to customers.

That way, the cost of shopping bags is on the customer if they do not bring their own bag rather than at a cost to the retailer.

You can also further benefit from selling reusable bags branded with your logo(s). The reusable bags, that can be reused for up to 3 years, become a walking advertisment for your business.

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What do I put wet and messy items in like fish, meat and leaking sauces?

The campaign is to reduce the plastic check-out bags only. Retailers can use the small plastic bags that come on a roll, to wrap items like fruit and vegetables, bread, meat etc.

The products can then be safely put inside a reusable bag to carry home.

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Can I use degradable bags?

In accordance with the waste hierarchy - 'Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' - the best thing is to avoid using any sort of disposable bags (including degradable bags) in the first place.