The ban was introduced by the supermarket giant Wednesday ahead of a statewide ban on the use of lightweight, plastic shopping bags from July 1.

The Queensland ban was introduced by the Palaszczuk Government to tackle plastic pollution, with fines of up to  $6300 per offence for shops which continue to supply the bags to customers.

Plastic barrier bags can still be used for fruit and vegetable purchases but groceries can no longer be packed into single use, lightweight bags at the checkout.

Woolies’ shoppers can buy thicker plastic bags, priced from 15 cents to $1, to carry their groceries in. Insulated bags can also be bought for $2.50.

Woolworths customers quizzed by North West Star on Wednesday had forgot or did not know about the bag ban.

One shopper, Deborah Cuil, opted to forego buying thicker bags, instead loading her car’s boot with individual items.

“I didn’t know – I’ll get boxes next time,” she said.

Other customers agreed with the measure but were not happy about the inconvenience.

One woman, who said she was employed at the store, forgot about the ban, despite some warning. She instead loaded up her groceries in thicker, reusable bags bought at the checkout.

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said it was great to see stores switching away from disposable plastic bags ahead of the ban.

“Queenslanders use nearly one billion single-use plastic shopping bags every year,” Minister Enoch said.

“If you lined all of these up in a row, one by one, it would extend from the New South Wales border to the top of the Cape more than 160 times.”

Department store bags, bin liners and disposable nappy bags are not included in the ban and can still be bought from July 1.

Woolworths’ Queensland general manager Matt Franich said the ban on plastic bags meant the retail giant, which includes Big W, BWS and associated petrol outlets, could become more environmentally-friendly.

“We feel very strongly this is the right thing to do, and that together with our customers we can help create a greener future for Queensland,” he said.

​"​By working together with our customers we are committed to moving towards a more sustainable future and we are proud to say that from today, the single use plastic bag is gone for good in our stores.”

Woolworths is also phasing out sales of plastic straws, with funds raised from sales of its reusable $1 bag –called Bag For Good – to be donated to a nationwide Junior Landcare grants program.

For more information about the plastic bag ban visit the Queensland Government website qld.gov.au/plasticbagban