Guide to the ban on plastic shopping bags, plastic barrier bags and food bag tags

Replace the Waste
Guide to the ban on plastic shopping bags, plastic barrier bags and food bag tags

The following guide provides information about the ban on plastic shopping bags, plastic barrier bags and plastic food bag tags.

At a glance

These bans will commence on 1 September 2024:

Ban on all plastic barrier bags which are not Australian Standard (AS) certified compostable, and are used to contain or protect unpackaged fresh fruit or vegetables, nuts or confectionery.
Ban on all plastic film shopping bags which are not Australian Standard (AS) certified compostable
Ban on plastic-laminated paper shopping bags
Ban on all plastic food bag tags used to close plastic bags containing food

Bans will commence on 1 September 2025 for:

all plastic barrier bags which are not Australian Standard (AS) certified compostable and are used to contain or protect unpackaged dairy products, meat, poultry or fish (including seafood).

As a result of public consultation on the proposed regulations and consideration of feedback from the community, businesses and manufacturers, there will be several temporary exemptions.

Until 31 August 2027 an exemption applies for plastic film shopping bags used to donate goods to charitable organisations to enable these to be reused as a shopping bag for items purchased or supplied from a thrift shop or other charitable retail outlet run by the organisation.

Until 31 August 2029 an exemption applies for a plastic food bag tag (previously referred to as ‘bread bag tag’) used to hold closed a bag of potatoes or carrots weighing 2kg or more.

Plastic barrier bags

What will be banned?

A plastic bag without handles (known as either a ‘produce bag’ or ‘barrier bag’) which is used to contain and protect unpackaged produce, nuts and confectionery.

From 1 September 2024 there will be a ban on all plastic barrier bags which are not Australian Standard (AS) certified compostable, used to contain or protect unpackaged fresh fruit or vegetables, nuts or confectionery. Certified compostable bags must be clearly labelled compostable.

From 1 September 2025, the ban will be extended to all plastic barrier bags which are not Australian Standard (AS) certified compostable, used to contain or protect unpackaged dairy products, meat, poultry or fish. Certified compostable bags must be clearly labelled compostable.

The ban does not include plastic sleeves used to package or protect herbs or flowers. However, any barrier bag that is used to provide additional protection from leakage from packaging, such as for pre-packed meat, poultry, fish (including seafood), herbs or flowers, must be AS certified compostable.

What won’t be banned?

AS certified compostable bioplastic barrier bags clearly labelled with certification details
Reusable bags including nylon mesh and cotton bags
Paper bags
Plastic bags used for non-food and non-perishable items
Plastic bags used for pre-packaging fruit and vegetables, nuts, confectionery, dairy products, meat, poultry or fish
Plastic bags used to vacuum seal packaging of dairy products, meat, poultry or fish
Plastic zip-lock bags
Multipacks of plastic bags sold on-shelf (such as freezer bags, storage bags, zip-lock bags, bin liners, garbage bags, nappy bags)
Plastic sleeves used to package or protect herbs or flowers

Thick plastic/boutique plastic shopping bags

Recent research found that 98% of South Australian survey respondents already own reusable shopping bags, and 25% of respondents do not use plastic shopping bags at all. While the representative survey found that 60% of respondents will sometimes or rarely use a heavyweight plastic bag, only 27% of respondents indicated a preference for these bags.

Heavyweight plastic bags are more commonly accepted or purchased in retail settings (80%) compared to grocery shopping (70%) or takeaway food shopping (67%).

In the time since this research was conducted in 2023, the major Australian supermarket chains have moved to offering paper bags for customers, instead of heavyweight plastic bags, as well as a large variety of sturdy reusable bags made from a range of materials. National retailers have also moved to offering non-plastic shopping bags in response to bans on plastic bags in Western Australia and the ACT.

What will be banned?

Heavyweight film plastic shopping bags (>35 microns) – noting that the 2009 ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags under 35 microns will continue
Plastic-laminated paper shopping bags or plastic-laminated cardboard shopping bags

A temporary exemption until 31 August 2027 applies to plastic film shopping bags used to donate goods to charitable organisations after 1 September 2024. The plastic shopping bag may be reused for items purchased or supplied from a thrift or other charitable retail outlet run by the organisation.

There will also be exemptions for:

AS certified compostable shopping bags clearly labelled
In line with plastic bag bans in Western Australia and the ACT reusable bags made, in whole or in part, of one or more of the following fabrics will be permitted:
- nylon
- polyester
- woven polypropylene
- non-woven polypropylene, if:
  - the bag has sewn, rather than heat-welded, seams
  - the fabric has a minimum weight of 90g/m² measured as a single layer of fabric.

What won’t be banned?

Plastic bags which are an integral part of the packaging in which goods are sealed for sale (such as pre-packed bread, pre-packed fruit and vegetables, pre-packed hot roast chickens and pre-packed grapes)
Shopping bags made wholly from non-plastic materials (such as paper, calico, hemp, canvas and jute)
Multipacks of plastic bags sold on-shelf (such as freezer bags, storage bags, bin liners, garbage bags, nappy bags)
Empty plastic laminated paper bags sold for gift giving
Reusable shopping bags (including cooler bags) made, in whole or in part, of nylon, polyester, woven polypropylene and in the case of non-woven polypropylene, if the bag has sewn, rather than heat-welded, seams and the fabric has a minimum weight of 90g/m² measured as a single layer of fabric.

Plastic food bag tags

What will be banned?

Single-use tags, designed or intended to hold food product bags closed, including (but not limited to) bread bags, produce bags and rice cakes.

A temporary exemption until 31 August 2029 applies for a plastic food bag tag (previously referred to as ‘bread bag tag’) used to hold closed a bag of potatoes or carrots weighing 2kg or more.

What won’t be banned?

Similar devices attached to a label for fresh produce where it is not used to close a bag
Cardboard single-use or limited use devices used to hold plastic bags closed
Reusable plastic devices and clips that are designed and intended to be used many times to re-seal different bags after they have been opened
Plastic tape, plastic cable ties and plastic twist ties
Plastic food bag tags used to hold closed a bag of potatoes or carrots weighing 2kg or more.

FAQs

What are AS certified compostable products?

Certified compostable products are made of materials that do not leave behind any toxic material, breaking down readily in a commercial, or sometimes home, composting system. This can include items that look like plastic, such as bowls, cups and bags. Labelling on these products must clearly state the item is certified compostable, preferably including the relevant AS certification logo, to assist consumers and businesses to purchase compliant products and to use appropriate disposal pathways. Australia has two of the highest standards in the world when it comes to certification:
AS 4736:2006 Biodegradable plastics suitable for industrial/compostable composting and other microbial treatment
This certifies the product can be composted through a commercial composting facility. In the majority of South Australian council areas, in workplaces and schools with organics collections, and at public events, this means the material can go into the available green-lidded organics bins.
AS 5810:2010 Biodegradable plastics suitable for home or commercial/industrial composting
This certifies that the product can be composted in your home compost bin. It is also suitable to go into a green-lidded organics bin.
What is the difference between Australia's industrial composting standard (AS 4736:2006) and Australia's home composting standard (AS 5810:2010)?

Commercial composting facilities generate much more heat than a home compost bin and use oxygen and water to break down materials into compost. Both AS 4736:2006 and AS 5810:2010 certified compostable products can be processed at commercial composting facilities in South Australia.
As home composting facilities do not reach the same high temperatures that are reached at commercial composting facilities, only AS 5810:2010 certified compostable products are suited to home compost systems.
Why are AS certified compostable barrier bags being permitted?

South Australian households currently receive AS certified compostable (AS 4736:2006 and/or AS 5810:2010) bags from their local council or can purchase them separately to line household food waste caddies. AS certified compostable caddy liners are accepted in all green-lidded organics bins where food waste is accepted alongside garden organics. More than 80% of South Australians have access to this service. Food and garden organics collections are routinely industrially composted in South Australia, contributing to a reduction of food waste in landfill and increased production of high-quality commercial compost.
Previous research in South Australia found that 3 times as much food waste was diverted in a ventilated kitchen caddy with a caddy liner compared to households using an unlined kitchen caddy. In a separate study within a metropolitan council in South Australia, 2 supermarkets provided AS certified compostable barrier bags for loose fruit and vegetables. The trial resulted in 117% more food being diverted from landfill by residents in the council area.
All barrier bags which are AS certified compostable will need to be clearly marked with their relevant AS compostable certification details so suppliers, business owners and consumers can easily identify compliant bags when purchasing them, and know that they can be disposed of in the green-lidded organics bin.
Note: Plastic straws, plastic cutlery and plastic stirrers made from any type of bioplastic will remain banned under current South Australian legislation as these products do not contribute to the capture of food waste from landfill.
Why is there a delay on AS certified compostable barrier bags being required for meat, poultry, dairy and fish?

There will be a 12-month delay, until 1 September 2025, for AS certified compostable barrier bags to replace plastic barrier bags used to contain or protect unpackaged meat, poultry, dairy and fish.
The definition of fish includes molluscs and crustaceans to capture all seafood.
Industry and businesses have requested additional time to research and test AS certified compostable bags for use with these products. Initial investigations have found that not all compostable bags are compatible with these types of products and, therefore, the delay will provide sufficient time for appropriate AS certified compostable bags to be sourced and labelled.
Why is there an exemption for AS certified compostable shopping bags?

Plastic shopping bags under 35 microns have been banned in South Australia since 2009, and the legislation specifically excludes plastic shopping bags that are AS certified industrially compostable (AS 4736:2006). A number of South Australian businesses provide AS certified compostable shopping bags to customers in compliance with the Plastic Shopping Bags (Waste Avoidance) Act 2008 (Shopping Bag Act).
Both AS certified compostable barrier bags and compostable shopping bags can be used as liners for kitchen caddies to divert food waste.
For this reason, it is proposed that the use of AS certified compostable shopping bags is retained with the inclusion of plastic shopping bags under the SUP Act.
Why is there a temporary exemption for charitable organisations supplying plastic shopping bags?

During the consultation process, representatives from the charity sector highlighted an issue with managing donated plastic film shopping bags after they are banned. After 1 September 2024, it will be an offence to supply a plastic shopping bag as a means of carrying goods purchased from a retailer (including a thrift shop or charitable retail shop).
However, the general public may use plastic shopping bags that they already have in their possession for any task, including reusing them to donate items to a local charity. Typically, these bags have been reused by a thrift or charitable retail shop to provide a bag to customers who may buy items from them. As a result, an exemption has been put into place to allow these charitable organisations to reuse and supply these donated plastic shopping bags to customers to carry home their purchases. By September 2027, it is expected that the number of plastic film bags being used to donate goods will have significantly decreased and the exemption will no longer be required.
This exemption does not permit charity thrift stores or charity retail stores to purchase and supply new plastic shopping bags to customers.
Why is there a temporary exemption for plastic food bag tags used to close bags of potatoes and carrots of 2kg or more?

During the consultation process, representatives from the fresh produce sector made clear that fibre-based food bag tags are not suitable for weights of 2kg or greater, or in damp storage conditions. Changing packing technology will require significant capital investment and will take some years to occur. A time-limited exemption allows producers to investigate alternative technologies and make changes to packing lines.