Australia’s ban on plastic bags leads to abuse at checkouts

AUSTRALIAN supermarket chains are scrambling to combat “bag rage” as frustrated shoppers vent their anger over a ban on single-use plastic bags.

One man put his hands around a supermarket worker’s throat, The West Australian newspaper reported, while stores were forced to bring in more staff to explain the change to customers.

The removal of single-use plastics is part of a national push to reduce waste. As of yesterday, major retailers in all but two Australian states will be fined if they supply single-use plastic bags.

The Coles supermarket chain yesterday removed single-use bags from its stores, shortly after rival Woolworths banned the bags on June 20.

Gerard Dwyer, the national secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, said: “While we understand that some customers may be frustrated … there is absolutely no excuse for abusive or violent behaviour towards retail staff.”

His union conducted a survey earlier this week and of 132 members who responded, 57 said they suffered abuse due to the plastic-bag ban.