Plastic Bag Code

The Plastic Bag Code of Practice

Plastic bag management has been a critical environmental issue for retailers and consumers for several years. At present there is no regulatory prohibition on the use of plastic bags however if we are able to significantly reduce the number of bags using a voluntary approach, we can help protect the environment and our businesses from the damaging effects of a levy or ban.

To this end, all Australian businesses issuing lightweight HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic bags are strongly encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic bags.

There has been strong government pressure to reduce the amount of plastic bags issued by retailers. The ARA created the Code of Practice for the Management of Plastic Bags, the Code contained strong targets, including to reduce the number of bags issued by Supermarket retailers by 25 percent by the end of 2004, and by 50 percent by end-2005. The Code also aimed to encourage Group II non-supermarket retailers to commit to the principles of the Code.

A copy of the Plastic Bag Code of Practice can be downloaded here.

The final report was provided to the Department of Environment and Heritage in May this year. The report outlined significant and promising results by both Group I and Group II retailers. In summary:

• A 45% reduction (approximately 3 billion bags over 2 years) of bags issued by Supermarkets. With the aim of achieving a further 10% by Dec 2006
• A 14% recycling rate of bags issued by Supermarkets.
• Over 90% of Group II retailers surveyed indicated they had reduced the amount of plastic bags issued.
• 24% of Group II retailers reported they had completely removed plastic bags from their business.

A copy of the final report can be downloaded here

While the code has now ended the ARA encourages retailers to continue to further reduce the use of plastic bags and the ARA will be making a new code available shortly that will deal with the wider issue of packaging.

The ARA also has a retailers guide, stickers and posters available to both members and non-members. Please call 1300 368 041 to have a pack posted to you. Clean-Up Australia also have a Retailer Starter Kit available that can be ordered from www.cleanup.com.au

Using Alternatives to Plastic Bags

Many businesses are opting to use alternatives to lightweight plastic carry bags. Each individual retailer will find that some alternatives are more suitable than others and each retailer will also need to consider the environmental impact of each alternative.

If you are considering introducing an alternative in your business we recommend you use the 'Proposed Product' tool (available below) or request suppliers complete the 'Proposed Product Tool' to assess its environmental impact. The tool assesses products against the Environmental Code of Practice for Packaging and gives each product a percentage rating based on its adherence to the environmental code. The higher the percentage the more suitable the product.

The Proposed Product Tool is available for download here

Degradable / Biodegradable Plastic Bags

At present in Australia, there are no standards for degradable or bio-degradable bags, and there is concern that some products available in the market do not meet their degradability claims. The ARA does not recommend that retailers use degradable bags until the Standards are developed. The Standards are in developmental stages and we will let you know when this is finalised.