Bag charge in store

Supermarket employees like Claire will soon start charging 10 cents per plastic bag at selected stores in Berwick, Hampton Park, Narre Warren and Fountain Gate. 20122

By Callan Date
CASEY shoppers will be among the first in Australia to pay for plastic bags.
Selected supermarkets in Berwick, Hampton Park, Narre Warren and Fountain Gate will charge 10 cents per bag from 1 August.
Safeway, Coles and IGA are the three supermarket chains taking part.
The State Government announced the month-long trial, which will also be introduced in Wangaratta and Warrnambool, on Tuesday.
The 10 cent levy represents the first practical action to reduce plastic bag use by any State Government in Australia.
The trial is aimed at helping reduce the estimated 1 billion plastic bags used by Victorians each year.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the government would work in conjunction with the Australian National Re-tailers Association (ANRA)to implement the trial.
Mr Jennings said the plastic bag levy was subject to approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
This is expected within weeks.
“We want to find an approach that delivers the best outcome for shoppers and the environment,” he said.
The City of Casey was chosen as it represented a genuine cross-section of the metropolitan Melbourne community, a spokeswoman said.
Grocery retailer ALDI, which has four stores in Casey, is also helping with the trial.
The German company has never provided free plastic bags, but will support the government with information on its own experience in providing different options for customers.
ANRA chief executive Margy Osmond said money raised from the 10-cent levy would be spent on community education and local environmental projects.
“This trial is a practical way to find the cheapest, simplest way to encourage consumers to reduce their plastic bag use,” Ms Osmond said.
Retailers will not profit from the charge, she said.
Mr Jennings said a steering committee would oversee the trial and its outcomes.
“I am confident that a voluntary approach to charging for plastic bags can provide an effective mechanism for reducing plastic bag use across Australia.”