New legislation was introduced into state parliament yesterday. It will ensure all single-use lightweight plastic shopping bags with a thickness of 35 microns or less will be banned.

The ban includes bags made from degradable, biodegradable and compostable plastic.

It comes after responses during state government community consultation showed an overwhelming support to ban lightweight plastic shopping bags.

Bendigo Wholefoods owner Darren Murphy said his store is already considering more plastic-free options for customers.

"We have corn starch-based (bag) products and heavy duty ones at the register which are good but more expensive," he said.

"We haven't moved to canisters (for some products) yet, that's out next step but there are some issues around nut allergies that have to be managed."

Mr Murphy said some businesses will face challenges when adapting to the plastic bag ban.

"We made the call as business to back in corn starch-based bags and it hasn't been to the detriment of our business. No one has said 'that's bad' or 'why are you doing that?," he said.

"People expect it of us and other businesses but there are still some challenges. Everyone is trying to fix the problem."

Minister for Environment Lily D'Ambrosio said the ban was a crucial step in protecting Victoria's rivers, waterways, oceans and wildlife from plastic pollution.

"Plastic pollution is a significant environmental problem," she said. "The actions we take now will help ensure Victoria has a clean and bright future."

"The feedback on this one was clear. Victorians want to do more to protect the environment from the damage litter causes and are overwhelmingly supportive of banning single-use plastic shopping bags."

Asian Foods Emporium owner Chayanie Marwood said she didn't mind the ban but would like to see an affordable alternative.

"Customers have started to use their own bags a lot more," she said.

"We also offer cardboard boxes for people and charge five cents for a bag. Some still prefer a bag but a lot go for the free box."

Lollies2Go owner Lisa Mitchell said her store would have no issues getting rid of plastic shopping bags.

"We offer boxes and 98 per cent of people who come in have their own bag," she said. "We're happy to adapt and largely won't be too affected."

Bendigo Sustainability Group president Trevor Smith said many customers he saw in shops now carried their own bags.

"People have really good habits (with bags) now and nobody really complains," he said.

"The Bendigo Sustainability Group has been around for 11 years and we have been talking about (getting rid of plastic bags) from day one.

"We have an action group called Boomerang Bags that are made from people donating materials and then volunteers sewing them together.

"We have had them distributed to different places (in Bendigo) to use as a (plastic bag) replacement."

For more information on the banning of lightweight, single-use, plastic shopping bags visit https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/sustainability/plastic-pollution

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