Australia trials plastic bag levy
Updated
Australian trade authorities say the trial of a plastic bag levy will help retailers assess the reaction of customers.
Competition watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted permission for some Victorian supermarkets to charge 10 cents for each plastic bag next month.
ACCC chairman, Graeme Samuel, says the trial will last four weeks and will hopefully reduce the use of plastic bags.
"In granting authorisation, we've indicated that we think the benefits that we think may flow from this trial, particularly in indicating whether a process of this nature - that is charging people for plastic bags - will result in the reduction of the use of plastic bags and thus some potential environmental benefits," he said.
