Push for plastic bag ban in WA by 2019
Plastic bags could be banned in Western Australia. (AAP)
Western Australia could see a state-wide ban on plastic shopping bags by 2019 following a push from local councils.
The McGowan Government is now on board, hoping to phase the bags out over the next 18 months.
Almost 500,000 plastic bags are disposed of every hour in Australia, according to Clean Up Australia.
Some local retailers believe the ban will have little impact in reducing how much plastic goes to landfill because the majority of goods arrive in store with some type of plastic covering.
WA Environment Minister Stephen Dawson says the move would bring national and international retailers into line with most other states.
"The Labor Government is keen to do more to protect our unique environment and to use less plastic," Mr Dawson said.
Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT have already banned single-use plastic bags.
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