A ban would result in the removal of all plastic carrier bags and prohibit retailers from distributing them (Environment Protection Authority, 2016). Since the plastic bag ban was introduced in South Australia in 2009, more than 400 million bags have been removed from the economy each year, and there has been a 45 per cent reduction in HDPE bags in waste streams (Wildlife Queensland, 2015). A ban would also result in benefits to food prices, as the current cost of 2 to 3 cents per plastic bag would no longer be split between goods by retailers (Environment Victoria, 2010). However, from an economic point of view, eliminating plastic bags is inefficient as the total cost of such a measure would exceed the total benefits (Clapp & Swanston, 2009, p. 321). A tax is an effective policy that can be imposed to reduce pollution. consumption of plastic bags in Australia. While a tax won't completely eliminate plastic bags, it addresses market failures and strikes an effective balance. An alternative policy such as banning plastic bags, if implemented, would significantly reduce the amount of bags in circulation, but is economically seen as inefficient as the costs exceed the benefits. However, either of the proposed policies would reduce the environmental impact and social costs borne by