Boot The Bag - Young coordinator Helen Johnson said they have a community education and support plan that they will roll out over the coming months

"As community members from diverse backgrounds, we understand the anxiety that individuals and businesses have about transitioning away from plastic bag use and are putting together information and activities to address concerns," she said.

"We’ll be facilitating workshops on making reusable bags and degradable bin liners, screening documentaries explaining the insidious threat of plastic and garnering community and council support to make our proud town plastic-bag free. 

"We’re engaging local business, schools and community groups in the process and continue to investigate recycling opportunities for the town. 

Mrs Johnson said Boot The Bag would be approaching local businesses to sign up as plastic-free supporters and are looking into strategically placed depots for bag exchange for those times you forget your bags while out and about. 

"In the meantime, we encourage people to contribute by stopping your use of plastic shopping bags and replacing them with cloth bags, baskets or boxes, or by doing a plastic audit in your home or street to really consider how much plastic you use," she said.

"Plastic is a harmful material to the environment, animals and people and uses high-energy, toxic processes in its development. Plastic bags remain in the environment after disposal for over 1,000 years and commonly pollute waterways, the ocean, deserts and our communities."

Retiring Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson said the NSW government would not have to legislate a plastic bag ban because retailers like Woolworths and Coles have taken the lead by banning the from next year.

Mrs Johnson congratulated the big retailers on their stance but said only effective legislation would bring about change.