Woolworths banning plastic bags from June 20

Supermarket giant Woolworths is banning single-use plastic bags nationally from June 20, with more than 800 shops across Australia making the switch.

The move means single-use plastic bags will be axed ten days before the July 1 deadline, forcing customers to buy reusable or canvas bags if they forget to bring their own.

The change will involve Woolworths' supermarkets, BWS liquor stores, Metro Stores and petrol stations. The changes will impact stores in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia

Bans will start at Woolworths stores in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast and Mossman in far north Queensland. A Coles supermarket at Hope Islane will follow by the end of the month.

"This is all retailers across Queensland from July 1," National Retailers Association QLD CEO Dominique Lamb said.

"This is about the environment – if they don't comply, the fine is over $6000."

Every year, 3.2 billion single-use bags are handed out across Australia.

A shopper outside Coles in Ashgrove admitted that he'd been taking and storing the traditional plastic bags.

"I think the whole thing is B-S," he said.

"I've got enough to last 25 years, and I won't be paying for them.”