The Queen Victoria Market Is Banning Plastic Bags and Straws

Following in the footsteps of our major supermarket chains, as well as local shopping spots like the South Melbourne Market, the historic Queen Victoria Market has joined the club. The plastic-free club, that is.

In an effort to help quash waste, the QVM has announced it'll scrap plastic bags and straws from Tuesday, May 14. Once the planet-friendly ban's in place, shoppers will have the option of bringing their own reusable bag, basket, or trolley, hiring out an onsite trolley from Market Espresso on Queen Street, or purchasing one of the QVM's own reusable bags or straws, available from individual traders as well as the Visitor Information Hub.

If you prefer a cardboard box to carry that shopping haul home, you'll find plenty of recycled options at the QVM's existing Pick-A-Box locations, both on Queen Street and in I Shed.

That said, you won't have to worry about your fish and meat products just yet. As with other venues, the Queen Victoria Market will still make available those thin plastic barrier bags, in order to avoid cross contamination. Some traders may also be happy for you to bring in reusable containers for your fresh produce, though it's at their discretion.

The overhaul comes after the Market conducted a series of surveys and found a whopping 80 percent of customers and 70 percent of traders were in support of a plastic bag ban.

Banning of plastic straws has gained quite a momentum in Australia over the past two years, and scored plenty of support on environmental grounds, though as highlighted by the ABC recently, it also has potential to marginalise disabled members of the community. A number of Aussies with disabilities rely on straws to eat and drink, and reusable versions aren't always an alternative.

The Queen Vic Market will ban plastic bags and straws from Tuesday, May 14. For more information about its decision, head to qvm.com.au/sustainability/.