The Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act 2011, passed by the Legislative Assembly in February 2011, banned retailers from supplying lightweight polyethylene carry bags with handles thinner than 35 microns from 1 September 2011; compostable, heavier retail and barrier bags are excluded. The Territory's container deposit scheme began under the same Act in January 2012.
The Northern Territory (NT) Circular Economy Strategy 2022 to 2027 committed to a single-use plastics ban by 2025 and the government consulted from 8 March to 14 April 2023, but the consultation report remains 'under review' and no legislation has been introduced. The City of Darwin has banned single-use plastics on council land and at council events since 1 January 2019.
Status as at September 2026: bag ban in force; single-use plastics ban proposed and delayed with no commencement date. Dates verified against ABC News reporting of 1 September 2011 and the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) plastic bag ban page on 23 September 2026.