Plastic bag ban: What are the alternatives?

By the end of June, most of Australia’s major supermarkets will have stopped handing out single-use plastic bags.
Woolworths, Coles, and the Queensland and Western Australian governments are all phasing out lightweight plastic shopping bags, potentially preventing billions of bags from finding their way into landfill or oceans.
But what is and isn’t being phased out? What are the alternatives, and how effective will the policy be? 

[MsSheila]

I bought my Jute Shopping Bag in 2003 and I am still using it.

[antoninacawley]

I'm reusing my plastic bag. I'm not going to buy any bags. If i forget them. They are in my car or put my groceries in my car and bag them when i get home, to carry up stairs.

[tw]

Why not give the people the choice? They keep telling me plastic lasts thousands of years but I need to replace the plastics protecting my outdoor power points, tank pump and irrigation system? You’re all lied to.

[antoninacawley]

Just got and idea, when you finish you bread, use the bags to put scrapes any thing wet, what ever. Even frozen food bags.

[emely]

I treasure my plastic bags in the pantry

[riowinaryo_]

I'll bring my luggage bag or suitcases LOL

[edmsing]

Was feeling a little ill one-day last week, signed up for
one of those home grocery delivery services, food was delivered in less than
two hours as stated, but, arrived in nine plastic bags, some items double
bagged, if I had purchased the same items in person, I could have fit them all
in my one often used reusable cloth bag…The environment cries out for some protection
from we abusive humans…

[radstargaming]

what about they just sell paper bags like over in america or just give them out for free cause paper brakes down and if turtles eat them (which they wont cause its big and brown and looks nothing like a jelly fish) than they will digest them

[margaretroselle]

The so-called single use plastic bag is a lie which needs to be corrected.They are absolutely reusable and I have done so for years as have many other people.I have three cloth bag holders hanging off my kitchen and laundry doors which are stuffed with the plastic bags which I reuse. for so many other things.They are wonderful. I shall continue to do this except that now I will have to purchase my own plastic bags.