Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2013 (Tas)

Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2013

An Act to prevent, so as to minimise environmental pollution, the provision by retailers of certain plastic bags, and for related purposes [Royal Assent 20 June 2013]

Be it enacted by His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly, in Parliament assembled, as follows:

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2013 .

2. Commencement (1) Sections 4 and 5 commence on 1 November 2013. (2) The remaining provisions of this Act commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.

3. Interpretation In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears – barrier bag means a bag used to carry unpackaged perishable food, including, but not limited to including, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish; biodegradable bag means a bag comprised of material of a type that has been assessed in accordance with the relevant standard and can, in accordance with the relevant standard, be designated as compostable; plastic shopping bag means a bag, with handles, that is – (a) made, in whole or in part, of polyethylene with a thickness of less than 35 microns; or (b) a bag of a type prescribed by regulations to be a plastic shopping bag – but does not include – (c) a biodegradable bag; or (d) a plastic bag that is an integral part of the packaging in which goods are sealed before sale; or (e) a barrier bag; or (f) a bag of a type prescribed by regulations to not be a plastic shopping bag; relevant standard means Australian Standard AS 4736-2006 Biodegradable plastics – Biodegradable plastics suitable for composting and other microbial treatment, as in force from time to time, published by Standards Australia, or, if another standard published by Standards Australia replaces that standard, that other standard; retailer means a person who sells goods in trade or commerce.