Single-use plastic bags ban under scrutiny as shoppers switch and ditch reusables

Australian states with bans in place see rise in consumers and retailers resorting to thicker bags to escape the rule

Shoppers in states that have banned single-use shopping bags are reportedly buying reusable plastic bags then throwing them away.

The Australian Capital Territory requested an investigation into the use of thicker plastic bags last month, after reports that retailers and consumers had simply switched their plastic bag consumption to thicker bags to escape the ban.