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The first Australian town to completely ban non-biodegradable plastic bags was Coles Bay in Tasmania, back in 2003.
In 2013, Tasmania banned single use light weight plastic bags. So we were dropped straight into the expectation of taking our own reusable bags to shops and supermarkets when we moved here. We have a stash of bags in the boot of our car, I have a couple in a drawer at work and I have a few … ok… lots of canvas bags at home that I swap about and use regularly.
I am turning into a bag lady. My Mum has always carried her own shopping bags. I now appreciate the habits of previous generations. I remember going to local shops with my Nana, where the greengrocer would weigh and drop produce into the bottom of her shopping bag, potatoes first, then carrots and other heavy vegetables, lighter or fragile fruit and salad on the top. No plastic bags, no separation, just occasional paper bags.
A few retailers in Tasmania offer reusable plastic bags. Many offer paper bags.
Saying no to single use plastic bags is an easy challenge for me to tick.
RuthsArc 
Hi Ruth.
We’ve just had our legislation change about this exact topic. Supermarkets phased out single use plastic bags nearly a year ago.
On 1st July, no store was allowed to use single use plastic bags for goods sold to customers. It’s had a mixed reaction with some creative souls thinking about how to avoid the ban.
Personally, I think it is important as so much of it ends up in the ocean causing problems for seabirds and marine life.
Like you I have a few re-usable bags to do my shopping with. I like the hessian made bags. I find them to be really strong. I now have to bite the bullet and dispose of my small stock of plastic bags I have. It will make me think about how to carry stuff from now on. Den xx
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Hi Den. It’s good that legislation is changing. We soon got used to taking bags and there are some places that have have bags to borrow and bring back.
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People made such a fuss when the ban was brought in here. I would have loved to tell them all to grow up. Bringing a bag is so easy really. They have little compact foldable ones that you could probably fit in a wallet. I have a couple in my handbag. You have a great bag collection Ruth!
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I was surprised by all the fuss last year in some of the mainland states. I have a couple of fold up bags too. My collection is a blend of UK and Tassie bags.
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My first introduction to no plastic bags was on a visit to Holland in the mid-1970s. We went to a grocery store and weren’t offered a bag for our groceries. Even back then it made sense to me.
Sadly, we don’t have a ban here and I think it’s shameful. I too have been using reusable bags for years and years. I don’t understand the moaning and groaning so many people like to indulge in.
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Hopefully one day everyone will get on board with environmental impacts of our behaviour. There is so much plastic in our daily lives, shopping bags is an easy one to change.
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Reusable bags is such an easy fix and thanks to Su Leslie at Zimmerbitch, I’m now also using beeswax paper instead of plastic wrap. The initial investment was a little pricey but I love the stuff. I used to use SO MUCH plastic wrap and now very, very little.
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I’ve just started using beeswax wraps too. I will post about those this week.
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