If a national ban on plastic shopping bags is introduced by the end of the year, Huskisson and Kangaroo Valley will be able to teach other towns a thing or two.
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Both towns have had successful bans in place since 2003, making them ideal models.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced yesterday he will move to phase out plastic bags after consulting state governments in March.
Huskisson Chamber of Commerce and Tourism president Meshelle Knapp said residents had embraced the plastic bag ban and were passionate about protecting the local environment.
"Change doesn't happen overnight, it takes time for people to get used to the idea," she said.
"All in all, people have been pretty good. There is always the odd one who may not want to take part, but I don't know of anyone here that hasn't wanted to get involved.
"We are surrounded by a beautiful coastline and we're very nature-conscious here," she said.
The Federal Government's proposal follows the announcement of a Chinese scheme to ban the use of plastic shopping bags from June 1.
Ms Knapp welcomed the proposed bans on plastic shopping bags in Australia and China, but warned some businesses may be difficult to convince.
"It would be a great achievement if it can be done," she said. "I don't think you'll ever change the big guys like Coles and Bi-Lo, they'll just do what they want to do, although I believe their plastic bags do have some environmental qualities."
Andrea Neill, co-owner of the Kangaroo Valley Supermarket, said enforcing the local ban had been relatively simple with customers readily adjusting to the change.
"We only bought the shop 31/2 years ago, so we don't know anything else.
"The locals know to bring their own bags, they really adapted well."
