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The article reports on efforts to reduce plastic bag use in Australia. The South Australia government has introduced legislation to ban single-use, lightweight polyethylene bags. The Australian National Retailers Association in Victoria has conducted a trial to assess consumer response to a charge on plastic bags.

The article addresses issues surrounding the so-called 'eco-friendly' plastic bags. According to the author, many of these plastics are labelled as 'degradable' or 'biodegradable' which may confuse consumers. Factors such as ultraviolet light, heat or water may trigger the disintegration of the materials that comprises degradable bags. Two new Australian standards are being developed, one for biodegradable bags and one for bags made from a type of degradable plastic said to be oxo-biodegradable.