Single-use plastic bags are now banned in Queensland

As Queensland's ban on single-use plastic bags begins on Sunday, the retail workers' union, SDA, has reminded customers not to abuse staff and not to forget to bring their own clean bags.

Queensland legislation passed in September 2017 bans single-use plastic bags from being provided in supermarkets, takeaway stores, pharmacies, goods sold online and markets from July 1, 2018.

Queensland retailers face a fine of up to $6307.50 for giving a plastic shopping bag to a customer to carry goods from their premises, whether or not they charge for it.

Coles and Woolworths also announced they would ban single-use shopping bags across the nation.

Woolworths ditched single-use plastic bags at check-outs on June 20.

But after a series of customer complaints, Woolworths announced it would give away "reusable" plastic bags — which would usually cost 15 cents — free of charge until July 8.

With single-use plastic bags also unavailable in Coles from July 1, Coles will open all check-outs in stores between 10am and 6pm on Sunday to help customers with the transition.

From Monday, July 2 to Sunday, July 8, there will also be extra Coles check-outs open in states where bags will be removed for the first time.

Specifically, additional check-outs will be open between 9am and 9pm in NSW and Victoria and 9am to 7pm in Queensland and Western Australia, although hours may differ in some WA stores which have shorter trading hours.

The retail workers' union, SDA, reminded customers there was no excuse for abusive behaviour towards staff.

SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer said Woolworths' plastic bag ban was generally successful but there were reports of abusive behaviour towards retail staff and customers asking to overload bags, or to use unhygienic bags.

"While we understand that some customers may be frustrated by this change, there is absolutely no excuse for abusive or violent behaviour towards retail staff," he said.

Mr Dwyer said shoppers should check the condition of their bags before handing them to retail staff.

"In some cases, customers have also attempted to use bags which contained vomit, dirty nappies or rat faeces," he said.

"This is obviously unacceptable and presents a serious health risk to retail staff.

"Additionally, we remind customers not to insist that shopping bags be overloaded, as this may present an injury risk to both themselves and retail staff."

The Queensland ban does not apply to dog poo bags in off-leash parks, nappy bags, deli bags for fruit and vegetables, and thicker department store bags.

Queensland Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said single-use lightweight plastic bags were a major contributor to horrific issues in the environment.

"We know that about 75 per cent of all debris that we find along the coastline is plastic waste," she said.

"We know that about 90 per cent of seabirds and about 30 per cent of sea turtles have ingested plastic waste."

Ms Enoch said if anyone was aware of a business supplying single-use plastic bags, they could complain to the National Retail Association.

Tasmania, South Australia, the ACT and Northern Territory have already banned single-use plastic shopping bags.

Queensland and Western Australia's ban begins on July 1.

The Victorian government has announced plans to legislate a plastic bag ban, to come into effect by the end of 2019.

NSW is the only state not to be pursuing a ban on single-use plastic bags.