The ban on the use of plastic bags in Western Australia has started as of January 1, 2019, with retailers no longer be able to provide customers with lightweight plastic bags when shopping in their stores.

Retailers who fail to comply with the new laws will face substantial fines and disruptions to their business operations.

The National Retail Association (NRA), which has partnered with the state government to assist the sector to make a smooth transition ahead of the ban, has issued a statement to consumers earlier reminding them to be prepared for the change when they shop starting the new year.

David Stout, NRA manager of Industry Policy, said the bag ban applies to all retailers operating in Western Australia regardless of size or type – ranging from newsagents to food outlets, to pharmacies and petrol stations.

Stout said shoppers need to make sure that they have alternative options in place, like reusable bags, to safeguard against any inconvenience.

“The NRA has visited thousands of retailers in all parts of the state over the past few months to ensure that retailers are as ready as possible,” Stout said.

He added that the NRA will continue to assist retailers with any teething issues after the ban comes into effect.

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