South Australia bans carrier bags

In an effort to prevent landfills from overflowing with plastic bags, the Australian state of South Australia has enacted a ban today on all lightweight plastic carrier bags.

Starting immediately, supermarkets will have to switch to paper or cornstarch carrier bags or face fines from the government.

If caught a shop could pay up to $5000 in court, or be forced to pay an immediate fine of at least $315 dollars if they want to keep their shop open without going to court.

According to Jay Weatherill, the state environment conservation minister, this ban will reduce not only the amount of waste at landfills but will have an effect on reducing litter on the streets from plastic carrier bags as well.

Bags that are used specifically for meat will still be available, as well as some stronger bags found in clothing shops.

There is concern from grocers however, stated the Australian Retailers Association, that customers will not correctly maintain and wash their carrier bags if they choose to bring their own instead of paying for biodegradable bags and that may spread disease to employees.

Additional concern has been raised that certain remnants of previous week’s trips, such as pesticides from produce may not be washed correctly, leading to cross contamination of new items that grocers may end up taking the blame for.

Environmental groups hail the move as a victory with groups such as Planet Ark campaigning for a wide spread ban carrier bags across the continent.

Weatherill and some corporation spokesmen from companies such as Woolworths claim the move to ban carrier bags has been widely supported by South Australians noting that given the time to adjust most customers will not have a problem adapting to the new carrier bag laws.