From 1 July 2018, retailers are no longer able to supply single-use lightweight plastic shopping bags less than 35 microns in thickness to customers, for free or at a charge.

This includes compostable, degradable and biodegradable bags as they break down in the environment in the same way as conventional plastic shopping bags and can still harm the environment and wildlife.

The impacts of plastic pollution on our environment and especially on our marine life are a very real concern to the Queensland Government and the community.

It is estimated that close to one billion single-use lightweight plastic shopping bags are used in Queensland each year. While the majority of these bags end up in landfill, around 16 million plastic shopping bags end up in the environment in Queensland each year. This is equivalent in weight to 96 small cars.

• Barrier bags for unpackaged perishable food such as fruit, vegetables, meat and fish
• Bin liners and garbage bags
• Single-use heavy weight department store plastic bags
• Plastic nappy bags
• ‘Dog poo’ bags