Plastic bag ban fines to be enforced in Western Australia

Western Australian retailers will face fines of up to $5000 if they continue to hand out single-use plastic bags to shoppers in 2019.

The state government says it will be relying on shoppers to dob in retailers who break the rules.

“From January 1 it will be an offence for retailers to supply lightweight plastic bags – this includes small retail shop, takeaway food outlets and markets,” Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said.

Complaints can be lodged online here.

Authorities will be able to test the thickness of plastic bags to determine if they’re illegal with a special gadget. Anything 35 microns or less is considered illegal.

Single-use plastic bags were banned in Western Australia in July but fines have not been enforced.