Reward Hospitality is a national distributor and supplier of hospitality products with a vast catalogue of products including products that fall into the ‘single use’ category. We are committed to a more sustainable future by actively reducing our use of single-use plastics across our operations, product ranges, and supply chain. Aware of the environmental impacts these materials pose, we are working to eliminate or transition away from them in line with our values, national targets, and local regulations. We will endeavour to provide the most up-to-date information for your region in our online Australian Single-Use Plastics Bans resource.
This document pertains to the Acts, by-laws, policies and regulations being introduced by State and Territory governments implementing prohibitions on the sale, supply and distribution of single-use plastics in Australia. It is important to be aware that in some jurisdictions it is now an offence to sell, supply or distribute a prohibited plastic product and significant penalties may apply. The extent of any penalties, as well as the products on the ban list, varies between the States and Territories, so it is important to remain up to date.
Please also note that there are some exemptions for certain markets and classes of consumer, such as healthcare, disability or aged care services or schools. Please read our resource ‘Australian Single Use Plastics Bans' for further detail or contact your local Reward Hospitality representative for further help and advice. You’re also welcome to contact one of our friendly customer service agents via online chat or by calling 1800 473 927.
Important Note
Penalty amounts, banned items, and exemption conditions may change. Please consult your state or territory’s official resources for the most current information. If you notice anything out of date, please contact us. Read more on the National Roadmap by clicking HERE.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
While there is no territory-wide single-use plastic ban yet, several restrictions are already in place:
City of Darwin Ban (active since 1 January 2019):
It is prohibited to bring the following items onto council land at events and markets in Darwin:
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Disposable cups (hot and cold) and lids
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Plastic cutlery and stirrers
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Plastic plates and bowls
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Plastic takeaway containers
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Plastic straws
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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):
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plastic bags
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plastic straws
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plastic utensils and stirrers
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plastic bowls and plates
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expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food containers
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microbeads in personal health care products
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EPS consumer goods packaging (loose fill and moulded)
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helium balloons
Link to legislation and guidance: HERE
More on the Northern Territory Circular Economy Strategy: HERE
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 took effect on 1 March 2021, with a phased rollout of bans. Banned Items (by implementation date):
March 2021
March 2022
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Expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates, and clamshell containers
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Oxo degradable plastic products were prohibited from production, manufacture and sale
September 2023
1 September 2024
Upcoming: 1 September 2025
Offences and Penalties:
Selling, supplying, distributing or misrepresenting a banned item can result in:
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Up to $20,000 for manufacturers, wholesalers, or distributors
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Up to $5,000 for individuals
Exemptions:
Support for Businesses:
Link to legislation and guidance: HERE
Learn more about the upcoming ban: HERE
TASMANIA
There is no statewide ban yet, but the government is reviewing problematic single-use plastics for future regulation.
City of Hobart By-law (effective 1 July 2021):
Bans the supply of food packaging that is wholly or partly plastic and single use.
Prohibited Items:
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Plastic cutlery
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Sauce sachets
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Takeaway containers and lids
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Plastic straws
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Plastic-lined noodle boxes and coffee cups
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Plastic sandwich wedges and cup lids
Penalty: Up to 8 penalty units
The Hobart by-law also prohibits exhausting existing stock of banned items
Please note that this by-law only applies where a retailer provides or sells food to be taken from the retailer's premises in food packaging and does not apply to other situations.
Link to legislation and guidance: HERE
Pending legislation: In alignment with the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2023–2025, Tasmania intends to introduce policies and legislation to eliminate a range of problematic single-use plastics and items by 2025. Read more here and here.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
The Plastic Reduction Act 2021 came into effect on 1 July 2021.
Banned Items:
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Single-use plastic cutlery
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Plastic beverage stirrers
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EPS food and drink containers
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Non-compostable degradable plastic bags
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Boutique/laminated plastic shopping bags
From 1 July 2023:
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Single-use plastic plates and bowls
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EPS loose-fill packaging and trays
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Plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care/cleaning products
From 1 January 2024:
- Heavyweight plastic bags (>35 microns)
Exemptions:
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Spill proof bowls
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Scientific, medical & forensic uses
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Integrated packaging items
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Medical & disability straws
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Detainee & mental health cutlery
The Minister may grant exemptions to the ban, provided they have regard to:
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the public interest
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compatibility with human rights
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any potential adverse impacts on public health, property or the environment
Penalties:
It is also an offence where an individual has supplied a prohibited plastic product and knowingly or recklessly represented the product was not a prohibited plastic product.
In addition to making exemptions, the Minister may declare a particular public event as single-use plastic free. This means that other single-use plastics may be banned at certain events, beyond the items listed above.
Links to legislation and guidance: HERE
QUEENSLAND
The Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2021 took effect on 31 August 2021.
Banned Items:
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Single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, and bowls
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EPS takeaway containers and cups
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Cotton buds with plastic stems
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EPS loose-fill packaging (peanuts)
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Plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care or cleaning products
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Outdoor release of lighter than air balloons (e.g. Helium). Shopping bags need to meet material and reusability requirements.
Penalties: Up to 50 penalty units
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Under the Act it is an offence to sell a banned single-use plastic item to another person.
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It is also an offence to knowingly give false or misleading information about the composition of a banned single-use plastic product
Exemptions (use permitted in)
Links to legislation and guidance: HERE
Upcoming: in accordance with Queensland’s five-year roadmap for single-use plastics, a review of legislative provisions is underway. Potential bans may take effect from 1 September 2025 for the following items: bait bags, plastic dome lids, plastic magazine wrapping, and non-recyclable takeaway containers. Sauce sachets are proposed to be banned from 1 September 2026. Read more HERE.
VICTORIA
As of February 2023, Victoria has banned several single-use plastics from sale or supply.
Banned Items:
Exemptions:
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Applies only to general use
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Exempt for medical, scientific, emergency services, and accessibility needs
Compliance: If you don’t comply with the ban, you may face penalties of more than:
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$11,800 for individuals operating a business
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$59,000 for body corporates.
Links to legislation and guidance: HERE
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
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
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Thick bags
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EPS food containers
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Helium balloon releases
Stage 2 (phased through to 1 July 2025):
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Loose and moulded EPS packaging
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Degradable plastics
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Produce bags
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EPS cups and meat/seafood trays
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Coffee cups and lids
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Lids for bowls, trays, and takeaway containers
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Food trays (not covered in Stage 1)
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Cotton buds with plastic stems
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Microbeads
Compliance:
Exemptions:
Links to legislation and guidance: HERE
NEW SOUTH WALES
The Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021 supports NSW’s Plastic Action Plan.
From 1 June 2022:
From 1 November 2022:
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Ban on single-use straws, stirrers, cutlery (incl. chopsticks/sporks), plates, bowls (unless spill-proof), and cotton buds
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EPS food service items (incl. cups, plates, bowls, trays etc.)
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Rinse-off personal care products with microbeads
From 1 January 2025:
Offences and Penalties:
Exemptions:
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Plastic straws allowed for medical/disability needs
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Cotton buds and plastic bowls exempt for medical, scientific, or forensic use
Links to legislation and guidance: HERE, HERE & HERE.