Western Australia Compostable Bag Regulations & AS 4736 Compliance Guide
Table of Contents
Understanding compostable bag rules in Western Australia can feel confusing at first. Many people mix up terms like biodegradable, compostable, and degradable. But WA law treats them very differently.
This page explains compostable bag regulations specific to Western Australia.
For an overview of national standards and requirements across Australia, see
Australia Compostable Bags Requirements.
WA Plastic Ban & Compostable Bag Policy (2024–2026)
Western Australia is phasing out many single-use plastics. Plastic bags are part of this plan. The goal is to reduce pollution and support better waste systems like FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) collection.
WA’s plastic ban affects these types of bags:
Standard lightweight plastic checkout bags
Non-compostable produce bags
Oxo-degradable and degradable bags
Bags that look like compostable bags but do not meet AS 4736 or AS 5810 standards
Many rules are already active. More will roll out between 2025 and 2026.
DWER explains that only certified compostable bags are allowed in places like retail stores, supermarkets, and local markets.
Key dates
2024 – More single-use plastics were added to the ban list.
2025 – Stricter rules for barrier bags and produce bags.
2026 – Final transition for non-compliant bags.
If you operate a shop in WA, or you supply packaging, you will need to follow these compostable bag regulations closely.
Who Must Comply With Western Australia’s Compostable Bag Regulations
Western Australia’s compostable bag rules apply to more than just consumers.
In practice, compliance responsibility often applies to:
- Importers and overseas manufacturers
- Brand owners and private-label suppliers
- Packaging wholesalers and distributors
- Supermarkets, markets, and retail chains
- Hospitality groups and food service operators
If a non-compliant bag is supplied, enforcement action may apply to the supplier or importer, even if the product is described as “compostable” or “biodegradable”.
For B2B buyers, compostable bags in WA are a regulatory and procurement decision, not just a sustainability choice.
AS 4736 & AS 5810 Standards
To sell or use compostable bags in Western Australia, the bags must meet Australian standards:
AS 4736
This is the industrial compostable standard.
It means a bag breaks down in a commercial composting facility.
To qualify, a product must pass tests for:
Disintegration
Biodegradation
Heavy metal limits
Plant safety
AS 5810
This is the home compostable standard.
It is stricter because home composting happens at lower temperatures.
How to check if a bag is real
I recommend looking for:
The official certification logo (ABA seedling mark)
A valid license number
Clear labeling: AS 4736 certified or AS 5810 certified
If a supplier cannot show the certificate, the product may not be compliant.
WA regulators warn that misleading terms—like biodegradable—are not acceptable. Many “biodegradable bags” do not meet WA compostable requirements.
DWER Compostable Guidelines
DWER publishes guidelines to help businesses follow Western Australia compostable bag regulations. The documents are technical, so here is the simplified version.
What DWER requires
- Only certified compostable bags are allowed for produce and similar uses.
- Bags must meet AS 4736 or AS 5810.
- Labels must be clear so customers can tell if the bag is certified.
- Businesses must stop using banned items by the listed deadlines.
- Enforcement of the plastic ban may include fines for repeated non-compliance.
Checklist for compliance
If I were running a store in Perth or regional WA, I would do this：
- Review every bag your business uses
- Remove all biodegradable, degradable, or oxo-degradable bags
- Confirm certification numbers with your supplier
- Plan for the 2025–2026 transition dates
- Train staff so they know what bags are allowed
- A practical checklist helps avoid mistakes.
Perth & WA Local Council Compostable Bag Rules
Each local council may have its own guidance for compostable bags, especially for FOGO bins. Perth, Subiaco, Belmont, Nedlands, and other councils follow the same WA standards, but their bin rules can differ.
Common council requirements
Most councils ask residents to:
- Use council-approved compostable bin liners
- Choose liners certified to AS 4736
- Avoid biodegradable bags
- Keep contamination low in FOGO bins
Council differences
Some Perth councils give households free compostable liners.
Others ask residents to buy their own, as long as they meet AS 4736.
If you work with waste services or provide bin liners, understanding these differences is important. It also helps reduce contamination in the compost system.
Compostable Bin Liner Regulations in WA
Bin liners used for FOGO must follow strict rules. DWER makes it clear that not all compostable bags are allowed.
Bin liners must be:
- Certified to AS 4736
- Labeled correctly
- Free of misleading terms
- Able to break down in commercial composting
Bags that are not allowed
- Biodegradable bags
- Degradable or oxo-degradable bags
- Plastic bags labeled as “eco-friendly” without certification
- Bags with greenwashing claims
Some people think biodegradable bags are better for the environment. In WA, they are considered a contamination risk because they do not fully break down during composting.
Biodegradable vs Compostable Bags in WA
Many shoppers still ask: “Are biodegradable bags allowed in WA?”
The short answer is no.
Here is the difference in simple terms:
Biodegradable
Breaks down into smaller pieces of plastic.
Often leaves microplastics behind.
Not accepted in WA.
Compostable
Breaks down completely under composting conditions.
Safe for soil when certified.
Required in WA for legal use.
This is why WA biodegradable requirements are very strict.
If a business uses biodegradable bags, it does not meet WA law.
How B2B Buyers Should Select Compostable Bags for WA Compliance
For bulk buyers and suppliers in Western Australia, choosing compostable bags requires careful checks.
Key procurement factors include:
1. Intended use
- Checkout and retail bags
- Produce and barrier bags
- Compostable bin liners for FOGO
- Food service and hospitality waste liners
Different uses fall under different WA restrictions.
2. Certification
- AS 4736 is preferred for commercial composting and FOGO systems
- AS 5810 may be accepted for limited home composting uses
- Certification must be valid and verifiable
3. Timing and transition
- Products supplied today must remain compliant through the 2025–2026 phase-out period
- Short-term solutions may increase future replacement costs
4. Documentation
- Certification certificates
- Test reports
- Clear labelling approved for WA use
For long-term supply, buyers should select bags that meet both current and upcoming WA requirements, not just minimum compliance today.
Choosing the Right Compostable Bags for WA Compliance
Selecting compostable bags is not only about certification. I often tell businesses to think about how the bag will be used.
For retail & grocery
Produce bags
Barrier bags
Checkout bags
Choose AS 4736 bags that match council and DWER requirements.
For food service
Takeaway bags
Compostable liners
Food-grade compostable packaging
For waste management
FOGO bin liners
Tall kitchen liners
Commercial liners for hospitality waste
What I look for in suppliers
Proof of AS 4736 or AS 5810 certification
Consistent quality
Clear labeling
No vague or misleading words
Reasonable durability for daily use
Cost matters too. Compostable bags in Perth or WA can be more expensive than traditional plastic, but they prevent fines and reduce contamination in the waste stream.
WA Waste Strategy 2030 & Why Compostable Bags Matter
WA Waste Strategy 2030 focuses on reducing landfill waste and improving recycling.
One key action is rolling out FOGO across Perth and Peel.
Compostable bags support this system because:
They help keep organic waste clean
They reduce contamination in compost
They make sorting easier for residents
They support councils’ sustainability targets
Western Australia’s waste strategy encourages choices that fit a circular economy. Using certified compostable bags is one small but important step.
Compliance Risk for Suppliers and Importers in Western Australia
Western Australia actively enforces its single-use plastics bans.
Supplying non-compliant compostable bags may result in:
- Fines or enforcement notices
- Product removal from retail outlets
- Contract disputes with councils or commercial clients
- Long-term reputational damage
Common risk areas include:
- Using “biodegradable” claims instead of certified compostable materials
- Supplying bags that fail AS 4736 testing
- Relying on overseas certifications without Australian verification
Many businesses reduce risk by sourcing compliance-ready compostable bags with clear documentation and stable quality.
FAQ
Yes. But only if they are certified to AS 4736 or AS 5810.
No. Biodegradable bags do not meet WA compostable regulations.
Look for certification logos, license numbers, and official documents.
Yes. Perth councils accept AS 4736 compostable liners for FOGO bins.
Phase-outs continue into 2025 and 2026 under the WA single-use plastics policy.
Compostable materials are different from plastic. Choosing the right thickness helps.
DWER may issue warnings, compliance notices, or fines.
Helpful Resources
You can support readers with downloadable tools，
- WA Compostable Bag Compliance Checklist
- AS 4736 Verification Guide
- Council FOGO Liner Comparison Table
- Retail Transition Plan for 2026
Request Compliance-Ready Compostable Bag Supply for Western Australia
If you are sourcing compostable bags for Western Australia — especially for retail, food service, or FOGO programs — please share your requirements below.
We can support:
- AS 4736 / AS 5810 compliant bag specifications
- WA-approved compostable bin liners
- Bulk manufacturing and long-term supply
- Documentation support for audits and procurement
