Community consultation has helped end of single-use, lightweight plastic shopping bags from 2019 to help protect our environment from plastic pollution.
There was an overwhelming response of more than 8,000 submissions during community consultation on plastic pollution. The public consultation found enormous support for a ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags, with more than 96 per cent of submissions supporting a ban.
Over the next 12 months, the feedback will be used to develop a plastic pollution plan to reduce other types of plastic contaminants in our environment. The ban will come into effect from late next year and will include all plastic shopping bags less than 35 microns in thickness – like those commonly used at supermarket checkouts.
The growing momentum for more community engagement not only empowers individuals but inspires more people to act. The Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability upholds the value of community and sustainability and these concepts will be reflected in socio-economic indicators in the State of the Environment, State of the Yarra and its Parklands, and State of the Forests reports, which are published at the end of this year.
If you would like to participate in the discussion or find our more, please visit: https://engage.vic.gov.au/waste/plastic-pollution