Shoppers in Victoria are encouraged to start bringing their reusable bags when they shop, as the city reinstates the single-use plastic ban.
Beginning today, April 15th, the City reintroduced the Checkout Bag Regulation Bylaw that began in 2018.
All businesses will have the same requirements in place previously which included restricting the use of plastic checkout bags, and charging a fee for paper bags.
Businesses can offer customers paper bags for no less than 25 cents or reusable bags for $2.
Reusable bags have been shown to be safe to use during COVID-19, with many local businesses still encouraging their use to reduce waste.
“Reducing the distribution of single-use plastic items in Victoria is helping to keep plastic waste out of our landfill, save tax dollars and protect the environment,” said Mayor Lisa Helps.
“Resuming the Checkout Bag Bylaw is a simple step to maintain our forward momentum towards reaching our goal to reduce waste by 50% by 2040 and be fully zero waste by 2050.”
Before the initial bylaw’s implementation in 2018, it is estimated that Victorians disposed of 17 million single-use plastic bags annually.
