Article

Last updated: 1st March 2022

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 landfill. 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 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:

Plastic straws
Plastic cutlery
Plastic stirrers
Plastic plates and bowls
Takeaway containers
Smoothie cups
Coffee cups
Deliberate release of Helium Balloons

The single-use plastic bag ban ("checkout" style plastic bags including degradable bags) commenced on 1st September 2011. These bags are banned in all Australian states and territories as of 1st June 2022.

EXEMPTIONS: All of the Northern Territory, except for Council land in the city of Darwin (and council approved activities such as markets) are exempt from this ban. Aged care and disability sectors in Darwin are also exempt from the ban.

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

Recommended alternatives

Drink Stirrers	Coffee Cups	Drink Cups	Clamshells
Wooden Cutlery	Palm leaf Plates	Paper Straws	Food Trays

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	Pulp Bowls	Snack Boxes	Drink Stirrers

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	Cling Wrap

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.

EXEMPTIONS: Aged care and disability sectors are exempt from the ban. Production of single-use plastic into packaging, domestic settings and items where there is no practical alternative like laksa type soup spoons and gelato tubs are exempted. Straws are currently exempt but are expected to be included in 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	Clamshells	Sandwich Wedges

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

EXEMPTIONS: Aged care, disability sectors, and schools are exempt from the ban. As are straws attached to juice boxes, forks included in pre-packed salads, spoons attached to yoghurt containers, and plates forming part of a frozen meal.

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

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.

EXEMPTIONS: Aged care and disability sectors are exempt. The ban will not affect medical, scientific, or emergency management services.

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

Single-use plastic plates, bowls and cups (Single-use plastic bags are banned in all Australian states and territories as of 1st June 2022).
Cutlery (unless incorporated i.e. a spoon inside prepacked yoghurt)
Plastic straws
Plastic stirrers
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) food containers
Thick plastic bags
Helium balloon releases

From 1st October 2022, the following will be banned:

Plastic cups

Stage two planned to be introduced 1st January 2023 will include:

Barrier or produce bags
Cotton buds with plastic shafts
Polystyrene packaging
Polystyrene cups, coffee cups and lids
Microbeads and Oxo-biodegradable plastics

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

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

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