Your weekly shop just got greener: What expanded plastic bag ban means for your wallet and routine

The next time you reach for those flimsy little bags in the fruit and vegetable section at Woolies or Coles, you might notice something different. In Western Australia, the government has expanded its ban on non-compostable plastic barrier bags, extending restrictions to cover nuts and confectionery, building on earlier rules that prohibited these bags for loose fruit and vegetables in October 2024.

But don't worry—the change isn't as dramatic as you might think, and there are some genuine benefits worth understanding.

What's actually changing in your shopping routine

Coles has removed single-use fresh produce plastic bags in all stores across Western Australia, in line with the next stage of the State's plastic ban which comes into effect on 1 September—a change that will remove 36 million conventional plastic produce bags from circulation annually in WA alone.

Both major supermarket chains have switched to compostable alternatives. The change introduced across Coles' 101 Western Australian stores will reduce the number of conventional plastic bags in circulation and help encourage home composting.

Made from compostable materials including natural plant starch, the new clear bags carry the Australasian seedling logo, which certifies their 'compostability' as per the Australian Standard.

Woolworths confirmed similar changes, offering compostable bags across all WA stores from 1 October. The good news? If you shop at ALDI, nothing changes—their produce bags already meet the new standards.

The cost reality: What this means for your budget

Here's where it gets practical for household budgets. Certified home compostable produce bags break down anywhere in 6 weeks to 4 months, and cost from $0.11 each when purchased separately.

While the supermarkets provide these new bags free at point of sale, there's a broader cost consideration many seniors are discovering.

Consumer advocacy research found that in 78 per cent of cases, the loose fresh produce was more expensive per kilo than the pre-packaged items.

This creates an interesting dilemma—the environmentally friendly option of buying loose produce often costs more than pre-packaged alternatives.

The composting confusion: Where do these bags actually go?

Here's where things get a bit tricky, and it's important to get this right. Since the NSW EPA has banned compostable packaging from being disposed of in the FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) green bin, only 8 per cent of Australians (in 43 councils) can properly dispose of commercially compostable packaging in their residential FOGO compost collections.

This means that despite being labelled 'compostable,' many of these bags may still end up in regular rubbish if your council doesn't accept them in green bins.

Unless consumers have an easy way to actually composting them, they actually just add to Australia's plastic waste problem.

Before you assume you can toss them in your green bin, check with your local council. Some are concerned about contamination risks if the bags don't break down properly during processing.

Success stories from South Australia

South Australia has been the testing ground for this change, with both big retailers exchanging single-use produce bags for compostable versions in South Australia in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The results have been genuinely impressive.

Since Woolworths made the switch in SA, 70 tonnes of plastic waste have been diverted from landfill each year.

That's the equivalent of about 3.5 million individual plastic bags no longer ending up in landfills annually in just one state.

The transition has been remarkably smooth for most shoppers, with many barely noticing the difference in day-to-day use.

The new bags feel similar to the old ones and perform the same function—they just happen to break down naturally when disposed of properly.

What's coming next: The bigger picture

There are plans to extend the ban next October to include plastic produce bags used for loose meat, seafood and dairy products.

This is part of a broader national push—the federal government has committed to ensuring 100 per cent of Australian packaging is recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025.

Before the initial restrictions, WA residents used 115 million produce bags annually. When you consider that Australians produce over 150kg plastic waste per person, with consumption increasing 60 per cent — from an estimated 92kg per person in 2000, to 148kg per person in 2020—21, these seemingly small changes add up to significant environmental benefits.

Practical tips for adapting to the change

The transition is easier than you might expect, but here are some strategies that have worked well for other seniors:

Bring backup options: Small mesh bags or containers can be reused many times and work particularly well for nuts, dried fruits, and delicate items like berries.

Consider pre-packaged when it makes sense: With loose produce often costing more per kilo, don't feel guilty about choosing pre-packaged options when they offer better value, especially for items you use regularly.

Use the bags at home: The bags can be reused at home to collect food scraps and return to the earth as harmless organic matter, in a home compost bin or green bin (check with your local council).

Plan your portions: Without the unlimited supply of free plastic bags, many shoppers find they're more thoughtful about quantities, which can actually help reduce food waste.

The environmental win that matters

While the practical adjustments are minimal, the environmental impact is significant. Every year more than six million tonnes of rubbish is dumped into the world's oceans, 80 percent of this being plastic bags.

Australians throw away about 7,150 recyclable plastic bags a minute, with 429,000 recyclable plastic supermarket bags dumped into landfill every hour.

The new compostable bags are made with plant-based bio-resins derived from cornstarch or sugarcane, designed to break down leaving behind no toxic residues.

When filled with appropriate matter and disposed of in a home or commercial compost, they decompose into nutrient-rich compost, enriching the soil and closing the loop in the circular economy.

For a generation that has witnessed significant environmental changes throughout their lives, this represents a practical step toward addressing plastic pollution that doesn't require major lifestyle changes.