Plastic shopping bags less than 35 microns thick were banned in Tasmania in 2013 under the Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2013. In 2003, Coles Bay on the east coast of Tasmania became Australia's first plastic bag-free town.
The Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2013 aims to minimise environmental pollution by preventing certain bags from being provided to retail customers. Environmental Infringement Notice penalties for offences specified in the Plastic Shopping Bag Ban Act 2013 are prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control (General) Regulations 2017.
More information about the Plastic Shopping Bag Ban can be found on the Tasmanian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) website.
