You might still have a cupboard or drawer packed full of them — but from tomorrow, the humble lightweight plastic bag will be banned from use in NSW.
Single-use plastic bags will be the first plastic item to be phased out in the state this year as part of the NSW government's plan to cut litter and pollution.
The government and National Retail Association (NRA) have pledged to work together in assisting business with the transition, and don't expect every store to comply from day one.
It is estimated more than 2.7 billion plastic items end up in waterways across NSW each year, and single-use plastic items equate to 60 per cent of the state's litter.
Environment Minister James Griffin says it's time to forgo disposable items which provide "a few convenient moments" but cause years of environmental fallout.
"We each have the power to make positive environmental change at an individual level, and I encourage everyone to choose to go plastic-free as often as they can," he said.
In November, the ban will be extended to other single-use plastic items such as cutlery, straws, stirrers, plates, bowls, polystyrene food ware, cotton bud sticks and personal care products containing microplastics.
What is changing?
Plastic bags that are 35 microns — about 0.035mm — thick, or less, will be banned from Wednesday.
That includes biodegradable and compostable bags falling below the thickness threshold.
To put that into perspective, the average human hair is about 70 microns thick.
The government says thin compostable or biodegradable bags were also being banned because they don't break down unless treated in an industrial composting facility, creating just as much of a problem as conventional plastic.
Businesses caught supplying the banned bags face fines of between $11,000 and $275,000.
What bags can still be used?
The government says people who do their shopping at the major grocery and retail stores are unlikely to be affected too much.
Bans do not apply to thicker reusable plastic bags, produce bags, waste bags or essential product packaging.
That also includes things like dog poo bags, bin liners, medical bags or those thin ones you get your meat in at at the deli.
Most bags distributed by major supermarkets and boutique stores are thicker than 35 microns and will be unaffected.
Thicker reusable bags such as those made of fabric are, of course, fine to use.
What do retailers think?
The NRA says it has engaged more than 10,000 retailers from across the state and the response to the move has been "very positive".
"Retailers and their suppliers are highly supportive of environmental initiatives, with many already phasing out single-use plastics, measuring their carbon footprint and committing to strong packaging and food waste targets," chief executive Dominique Lamb said.
NRA representatives have been visiting retailers across the state handing out fact sheets and providing support in six different languages.
Ms Lamb said it was important shoppers were aware of the change, although she noted there had been a 90 per cent drop in uptake since fees for plastic bags were introduced.
"It's important for shoppers to understand that more sustainable alternatives, like fabric, recycled paper and heavyweight recycled plastic, are more expensive and retailers may need to pass on these costs," she said.
"Of course, people can always bring their own alternatives such as reusable bags."
The state's Environment Minister, Mr Griffin, said many businesses had already phased out single-use plastics, but acknowledge this ban will involve a "significant change" for some.
The government has vowed to support businesses during the transition.
One thing the NRA says would help is changing the patchwork of state-based policies into a consistent national framework.
What's happened in other states?
"One of the biggest challenges is that there are five state-based plastic bans just in the last 12 months, and they all have different rules," Ms Lamb said.
"Even small businesses have an online presence and it's very hard for them to keep track of so many bans, especially when they each provide different advice."
NSW was the last state to ban lightweight plastic bags, with all other states and territories having already enacted a similar policy.
But when its single-use bans are extended in November, NSW will join Queensland and Western Australia as the states furthest along the path to a much less plastic future.
Western Australia has already outlawed heavyweight plastic bags and plastic cups or lids. The state will ban coffee cups containing plastics, microbeads, fruit and veggie bags and cotton bud sticks next year.
Queensland has proposed to ban those things too but its government has not yet set a date on when those rules would come into effect.
This year the ACT will match South Australia in banning lightweight plastic bags, straws, drink strirrers, cutlery and polystyrene food and drink containers.
Despite being dubbed Australia's "most progressive" state, Victoria has only banned lightweight bags so far and won't expand its list until February 2023.
It puts it on par with the Northern Territory and Tasmania to have outlawed thin plastic bags alone.
