The Northern Territory Government will in November introduce legislation to phase-out lightweight plastic bags by the middle of next year.

Territory Environment Minister Karl Hampton says that from mid-2011 shops will be barred from selling or giving away non-biodegradable lightweight plastic bags designed for single use.

He says shoppers will have "two main alternatives - reusable green bags and biodegradable or compostable bags".

The lightweight bags are defined as less than 35 microns thick, while the ban won't apply to heavier 'green' bags, which are generally made of polypropylene and designed for a longer life.

Biodegradable bags must comply with the Australian Standard (see the Territory Government's summary of the changes).

The ban also won't apply to the heavier-weight bags used by clothing retailers and department stores, or to "barrier" bags, such as those dispensed from rolls to hold fruit and vegetables.

The NT Government promised the ban and its container deposit initiative in its climate change policy (see targets 24 and 25 on pages 11 and 57).

Territorians use about 40 million low-density polyethylene (LDPE) singlet bags each year, according to the Government.

The NT is following in the footsteps of South Australia, which banned lightweight plastic bags last year.

Hampton says the Government will establish a forum of industry, union and consumer groups to ensure the four-month phase-out early next year goes smoothly.

He says the Government will introduce legislation for both the bag ban and container deposits in November.