Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths have announced plans to phase out single-use plastic bags over the next 12 months.

Woolworths is currently giving out 3.2 billion lightweight plastic bags per year.

Its decision will affect stores in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

South Australia, ACT, the Northern Territory and Tasmania have already implemented state-wide bans, and Queensland plans to do so next year.

Woolworths said more durable, re-usable plastic bags would be made available at a cost of 15 cents, along with multi-use hessian bags available.

Announcing the decision in Double Bay, Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said the decision was about doing the right thing for the environment.

"We've been looking at the feedback we get back from our customers as well as the impact on the environment, and we think it's an incredibly important thing to do," he said.

He said the company expected to begin phasing out the single-use bags starting from next month.

"A year might sound like a long time, but actually not considering ... what we're trying to do," he said.

Just three hours after Woolworths made its announcement, Coles said it would also phase out plastic bags in stores around the country over the next 12 months.

Coles chief customer officer Simon McDowell said the company said it had been working towards the announcement for some time.

"(This decision is) part of our ongoing program to improve environmental outcomes throughout our business," he said.

Tips for living without plastic bags Separate your rubbish, learn what you can recycle

Separate your rubbish, learn what you can recycle Use composting bins to dispose of wet waste

Use composting bins to dispose of wet waste Don't line your bin, simple wash it weekly or as needed

Don't line your bin, simple wash it weekly or as needed Raise chooks to feed food scrap too

Raise chooks to feed food scrap too Be selective about what you buy - take glass containers and buy food in bulk

Be selective about what you buy - take glass containers and buy food in bulk Take plastic or green bags back to the supermarket to recycle

Take plastic or green bags back to the supermarket to recycle Try to use biodegradable bags

Clean Up Australia managing director Terrie-Ann Johnson said the decision from the supermarket giants showed there was momentum for the remaining states to implement bans on plastic bags.

"It's showing some leadership and putting pressure on the states that haven't announced the ban to follow this lead," she said.

"Up to now they've seen it as a difficult thing to implement, but as we've seen from the other states it doesn't have to be the case, there's plenty of role models out there."

The decision has been framed as "cost-neutral", with the savings for the company from supplying bags offset by slower transaction rates at the checkout.

Mr Banducci said the company expected some customers to be inconvenienced in the short term, but to adjust to the changes.

"Hopefully as they get into the rhythm of the long term of using their own bag or their reusable plastic bag, they'll find it's a much better way to do their shopping," he said.

All stores across the Woolworths Group nationwide - including Woolworths Supermarkets and Metro stores, BIG W, BWS and Woolworths Online - will be covered by the changes.

The phased approach is expected to be completed across Australia by June 30 next year.

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