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Australian single-use plastics bans

Australian single-use plastics bans

Last updated: 9th July 2025

Plastic cutlery, plates and straws are among a list of single-use plastics to be phased out by 2025 under a plan to reduce plastic waste in our region. Australia produces 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year with 84% of it sent to landfills. It is reported that approximately 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste leak into the environment annually which is a huge concern for not only the Australian Marine Conservation Society but our planet and future generations as well.

Global companies are the biggest producers of plastic waste. In 2019, Australia produced nearly 59kg of single-use plastic waste per person, considered the highest per person plastic wastage data reported globally. Usage is at such a worrying high, and in 2018 the Australian Government established the 2025 National Packaging Targets with a goal that by 2025: 100% of packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable; 70% of plastic packaging will be recyclable or compostable, And 50% of all packaging materials will be recyclable.

In response to these goals, each state and territory has committed to the independent regulations we highlight below and we will continue to provide updates as new information is released.



View the current regulatory guidelines for

  1. Northern Territory
  2. South Australia
  3. Tasmania
  4. Australian Capital Territory
  5. Queensland
  6. Victoria
  7. Western Australia
  8. New South Wales


NORTHERN TERRITORY

Bans commenced 1st January 2019 for:

  • Disposable cups (hot and cold) and lids

  • Plastic cutlery and stirrers

  • Plastic plates and bowls

  • Plastic takeaway containers

  • Plastic straws

  • Balloons

Applies to both vendors and individuals attending events or picnicking in council-managed spaces.

Proposed Territory-Wide Bans (expected by 2025 under the NT Circular Economy Strategy):

  • plastic bags

  • plastic straws

  • plastic utensils and stirrers

  • plastic bowls and plates

  • expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food containers

  • microbeads in personal health care products

  • EPS consumer goods packaging (loose fill and moulded)

  • helium balloons

VISIT THE WEBSITE: Northern Territory Plastic Ban
MORE INFORMATION: From our friends at Detpak


Recommended alternatives 

Drink Stirrers
Coffee Cups
Vee Insulated Coffee Cup Cup Kraft Brown 12oz 355ml 
Drink Cups
Double Wall Coffee Cup Kraft Brown 16oz 473ml 
Clamshells
Wooden Cutlery
Palm leaf Plates
Paper Straws
Paper Straw Regular Red & White Stripes 
Food Trays
No.3 Kraft Food Tray Kraft Brown 180x134x45mm 


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SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Since March 2021

  • Single-use plastic straws

  • Plastic cutlery

  • Plastic stirrers

  • Expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates, and clamshell containers

  • Oxo degradable plastic products were prohibited from production, manufacture and sale

  • Plastic-stemmed cotton buds

  • Single-use plastic bowls and plates

  • Plastic pizza savers

  • Plastic barrier bags

  • Thick boutique/supermarket-style plastic bags

  • Single-use plastic beverage containers (including coffee cups)

Upcoming: 1 September 2025

  • Plastic fruit stickers

  • Plastic soy sauce fish sachets

  • Pre-packaged products containing straws or cutlery

VIEW THE STATE ACT: Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 (SA).


Recommended alternatives

Paper Straws
Wooden Cutlery
Palm leaf Plates
Eco Hot Cups
Clamshells
Sugarcane Clam Three Compartment White 229x229x81mm 
Pulp Bowls
Snack Boxes
Drink Stirrers


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TASMANIA

The by-law commenced 1st July 2021 in Hobart only for:

Plastic straws
Plastic cutlery
Plastic plates and bowls
Plastic takeaway food container lids
Plastic stirrers
PE lined cups, noodle boxes, and food containers
Plastic-lined cups except for compostable products
Foam takeaway food and beverage containers
Plastic sandwich wedges
Sauce sachets

Single-use plastic bags ("checkout" style plastic bags) are banned in all Australian states and territories as of 1st June 2022

Existing stock cannot be used until exhausted. As of July 1st, no single-use products listed above can be distributed even if it is existing stock. 

EXEMPTIONS: All of Tasmania, except for Hobart, are exempt from the by-law. Aged care and disability sectors in Hobart are also exempt from the by-law.


VISIT THE WEBSITE:
City of Hobart’s Single-use plastics by-law information
DOWNLOAD THE INFORMATION SHEET: Single-use plastic by-law


Recommended alternatives

Sandwich Wedges
Wooden Cutlery
Palm leaf Plates
Drink Cups
Noodle Boxes
Coffee Cups
Paper Straws
Paper Straw Regular Black 
Cling Wrap

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Australian Capital Territory

The ACT Plastic Reduction Act 2021 commenced 1st July 2021 for:

Banned Items:

  • Single-use plastic cutlery

  • Plastic beverage stirrers

  • EPS food and drink containers

  • Non-compostable degradable plastic bags

  • Boutique/laminated plastic shopping bags

From 1 July 2023:

  • Single-use plastic plates and bowls

  • EPS loose-fill packaging and trays

  • Plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care/cleaning products

From 1 January 2024:

  • Heavyweight plastic bags (>35 microns)

Exemptions:

  • Spill proof bowls

  • Scientific, medical & forensic uses

  • Integrated packaging items

  • Medical & disability straws

  • Detainee & mental health cutlery

Plastic bags at or below 35 micrometres have been banned since 2011. This includes plastic bags marked as recyclable or reusable. Heavyweight shopping bags are being considered for future phase-out. Single-use plastic bags ("checkout" style plastic bags) are banned in all Australian states and territories as of 1st June 2022.

VISIT THE ACT WEBSITE: Single-use plastics
READ THE MEDIA RELEASE: Single-use plastic ban from 1 July 2021. (ACT Government, 02 Dec 2020)


Recommended alternatives

Coffee Cups
Paper Straws
Drink Stirrers
Cling Wrap
Wooden Cutlery
Pulp Bowls
Sugarcane Bowl White 32oz 946ml 
Clamshells
Sandwich Wedges
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QUEENSLAND

The Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2021 took effect on 31 August 2021.

Banned Items:

  • Single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, and bowls

  • EPS takeaway containers and cups

  • Cotton buds with plastic stems

  • EPS loose-fill packaging (peanuts)

  • Plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care or cleaning products

  • Outdoor release of lighter than air balloons (e.g. Helium). Shopping bags need to meet material and reusability requirements.

Exemptions (use permitted in)

  • Hospitals, dental and medical clinics

  • Pharmacies

  • Aged care and disability care facilities

  • Medical suppliers

VISIT THE WEBSITE: Queensland Single Use Plastic Ban

VIEW THE ACT: Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2021 (Qld).


Recommended alternatives

Paper Straws
Wooden Cutlery
Drink Stirrers
Coffee Cups
Palm leaf Plates
Pulp Bowls
Snack Boxes
Takeaway Containers
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VICTORIA

Bans commence February 1st, 2022 in Government Department buildings and on February 1st, 2023 it extends state-wide for:

  • Drinking straws

  • Cutlery

  • Plates

  • Drink stirrers

  • Cotton bud sticks

  • Expanded polystyrene food and drink containers

Exemptions:

  • Applies only to general use

  • Exempt for medical, scientific, emergency services, and accessibility needs

By 2030 a 4-bin waste and recycling system will be standard for households across the state; And by 2022-23, a container deposit scheme will be implemented for the exchange of cans and bottles for cash. 

Single-use plastic bags ("checkout" style plastic bags) are banned in all Australian states and territories as of 1st June 2022.

VISIT THE WEBSITE: Victoria Government Transforming Recycling In Victoria.
DOWNLOAD: Recycling Victoria Policy document



Recommended alternatives

Wooden Cutlery
Drink Stirrers
Palm leaf Plates
Pulp Bowls
Paper Straws
Drink Cups
Coffee Cups
Snack boxes

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

From 1st January 2022, Western Australia commences bans for select single-use products under the Environmental Protection Regulations Amendment (Prohibited Plastics and Balloons) 2021.
Retailers cannot purchase products outlined below from the 1st of January however they have a 6-month grace period to diminish existing stock and penalties will be enforced from 1st July 2022 with the exception of cups as outlined below. WA is implementing its Plan for Plastics in two stages:

Stage 1 (from 31 December 2021):Ban on plastic plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, stirrers, straws

  • Thick bags

  • EPS food containers

  • Helium balloon releases

Stage 2 (phased through to 1 July 2025):

  • Loose and moulded EPS packaging

  • Degradable plastics

  • Produce bags

  • EPS cups and meat/seafood trays

  • Coffee cups and lids

  • Lids for bowls, trays, and takeaway containers

  • Food trays (not covered in Stage 1)

  • Cotton buds with plastic stems

  • Microbeads

EXEMPTIONS: The Government of Western Australia is in consultation with disability, health and aged-care sectors to better understand their needs regarding exemptions. 

VISIT THE WEBSITE: Western Australia's Plan for Plastics
DOWNLOAD: WA's Single-use plastic ban: FAQs
READ THE MEDIA RELEASE: Western Australia's plan to ban single-use plastics fast-tracked. (Hon Mark McGowan BA LLB MLA, 13 June 2021)


Recommended alternatives

Cling Wrap
Pulp Bowl
Takeaway Containers
Noodle Boxes
Coffee Cups
Drink Cups
Paper Straws
Wooden Cutlery
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NEW SOUTH WALES

Bans will commence on 1st December 2021 for lightweight plastic shopping  bags.

From 1 June 2022:

  • Ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags (≤35 microns)

From 1 November 2022:

  • Ban on single-use straws, stirrers, cutlery (incl. chopsticks/sporks), plates, bowls (unless spill-proof), and cotton buds

  • EPS food service items (incl. cups, plates, bowls, trays etc.)

  • Rinse-off personal care products with microbeads

From 1 January 2025:


EXEMPTIONS: Details pending

VIEW THE ACT OR MEDIA RELEASE:  Pending
VISIT THE WEBSITE:
NSW Plastics Plan Discussion Paper
DOWNLOAD: NSW Plastics Plan Paper "Cleaning Up Our Act: Redirecting the future of plastic"

Recommended alternatives

Sandwich Wedges
Drink Stirrers
Coffee Cups
Food Trays
Wooden Cutlery
Paper Straws
Cling Wrap
Food Tubs