Supermarket ban sees '80% drop' in plastic bag consumption nationwide

Coles and Woolworths have prevented an estimated 1.5 billion bags being introduced into the environment

The ban on single-use plastic bags by Australia's two largest supermarkets prevented the introduction of an estimated 1.5 billion bags into the environment, and the retail industry is hopeful this is only the beginning.

Coles and Woolworths' decision to stop offering single-use disposable plastic bags midway through the year was initially met with swift public backlash.