Gippsland retailers are preparing for the upcoming state-wide ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags.

The ban, due to commence from 1 November 2019, will include compostable, degradable and biodegradable plastics.

Until recently, Victorians have used over 1 billion single-use plastic shopping bags every year. Most of these bags end up in landfill and around 10 million end up as litter, polluting the environment and endangering wildlife.

According to Matthew Peake, executive officer with Resource Recovery Gippsland, this new law will apply to all retailers and suppliers regardless of size or type—from supermarkets to fashion boutiques, from fast food outlets to petrol stations.

RRG_Media Release_Vic Bag Ban_FINAL_08 10 2019