Resources for Butchers, Seafood and Deli counter businesses

The barrier bags ban design standard was developed through stakeholder consultation to support food organics recovery by allowing certified compostable produce bags to be reused as caddy liners in FOGO systems.

From 1 September 2024, the sale and supply of non compostable plastic produce bags (also known as barrier bags) for loose fruit and vegetables was banned.

From 1 October 2025, the sale and supply of non compostable plastic barrier bags that do not meet the required design standards used for loose fruit and vegetables or loose dry nuts and confectionery products is banned.

From 1 October 2026, the sale and supply of non compostable plastic barrier bags that do not meet the design standard used for loose/unpackaged meat, seafood and dairy products, is banned.

First, encourage customers to bring in clean, reusable containers to avoid single-use packaging entirely.

Before handling a customer's BYO container, many businesses will choose to check it is visibly clean. If you consider a container to be unclean or unsuitable you can choose to not accept it from the customer, or if possible, to sanitise it prior to use.

If a customer is filling their own reusable container many businesses will choose to tare the weight of the container prior to the customer filling the container.

For more information on using reusable alternatives please see https://www.bansolutionfinder.org/#solutions

Then, consider and use compliant alternatives.

For goods such as sliced deli meats and hard cheeses by using alternatives, such as butcher's paper or wax paper.

For goods such as dried meat products including jerky consider using paper barrier bags.

Finally, if you need disposable alternatives, you can supply compliant compostable barrier bags. Additionally, you can continue to supply recyclable plastic trays for raw meat and seafood, which may be a useful single-use alternative for packaging kebabs, skewers and whole seafood. 

You can search the Plastic Ban Solution finder to find information on a range of WA ban-compliant compostable barrier bags that may be right for your business. Ask your supplier if the product is functional specifically for your product, for example raw chicken, to ensure you are supplied a bag that is suitable for your wet and/or oily products.

The National Retail Association has been contracted to provide targeted support to businesses impacted by barrier bag policy, including information sessions and direct engagement. They can be contacted at sustainability@nationalretail.org.au or via a tollfree hotline (1800 817 723).

Understand ban-compliant alternatives with the following support materials:

• Factsheets FAQs 'Choosing the right barrierbag for unpackaged meats, seafood and dairy goods'
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• View this case study video to see how a WA delicatessen and bulk dry goods store is avoiding plastic barrier bags through alternatives and accepting reusables