Target Bans Plastic Bags Down Under

In June, Target (Minneapolis) will ban plastic shopping bags at its 283 Australian shops. Shoppers will have the option to bring their own bags or buy a reusable bag for $1 or a compostable corn starch bag for 10 cents. Profits from reusable bag sales will go to the children's Alannah and Madeline Foundation charity.

The mass merchant joins Aldi, Bunnings, Nandos and Ikea in halting the supply of free plastic bags to customers. “It wasn't a matter of if we stop issuing plastic shopping bags, it was a matter of when, and the when for Target is now,” says Target managing director Launa Inman.

Federal environment minister Peter Garrett promised last year to legislate for a national ban, but ended up leaving the decision to individual states. Starting next week, South Australia will enforce a plastic bag ban from all shops.

The Australian Retailers Association, which opposed the Government's proposed bag ban, says it should be left up to individual chains to decide whether they should stop issuing bags. “If other retailers see their client base being lost to Target, they may do something similar, but it should be up to the retailer,” says Richard Evans, NSW executive director.