Single use plastics ban
Published on 01 August 2024
Plastics play an important role in our economy and daily lives. They help keep food safe and reduce food waste, especially when used in packaging. However, using, and throwing away plastics can cause significant environmental problems, like pollution and harm to wildlife, especially marine life.
South Australians are at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Phasing out single-use plastics is a critical step toward reducing pollution, lowering carbon emissions, and protecting marine ecosystems. If we don't do anything, the amount of plastic going into the ocean could almost triple by 2040, reaching 29 million metric tonnes a year. That’s equivalent to 50 kilograms of plastic for every metre of coastline around the world.
Since 2021, South Australia has implemented bans on various single-use plastic items, including:
- Plastic straws
- Cutlery
- Stirring sticks
- Bowls
- Plates
- Pizza savers
- Expanded polystyrene (EPS) cups, bowls, plates, and clamshell containers
- Oxo-degradable plastic products
- Plastic-stemmed cotton buds.
Effective from 1 September 2024, additional items will be banned:
- Plastic produce barrier bags for fruit, vegetables, nuts, and confectionary.
Until 2025 plastic barrier bags may still be used for unpackaged dairy products, meat, poultry, or fish.
- Thicker ‘boutique’ style bags e.g. bags used in clothes/shoe shops and Drakes, Foodland, IGA etc.
- Other expanded polystyrene (EPS) food and beverage containers e.g. meat trays
- Plastic balloon sticks and ties
- Plastic confetti
- Plastic bread tags
- Single-use plastic cold drink cups and lids e.g. Boost Juice cups, McDonald’s beverage cups. This also includes single-use plastic wine glasses, single-use plastic shot glasses and single-use plastic tumblers.
- Single-use plastic coffee cups and lids. All cups and lids must now be compostable.
- Plastic beverage plugs
- Single-use plastic takeaway containers.
There is a 5-year limited exemption for transparent square or rectangular containers to allow for research and development into alternative compostable or non-plastic containers that can be used for ready-to-eat takeaway food.
These single-use items will be replaced with reusable or compostable alternatives.
Exemptions exist - such as for single-use plastic straws required by individuals with disabilities or medical needs. For a comprehensive list of exemptions, please refer to the Replace the Waste exemption list.
If you are a business – prepare by using up stock and ordering alternatives ready for 1 September. Inform your staff and customers of the change.
For residents – consider purchasing reusable alternatives to take with you such as a reusable cup for hot or cold beverages.
For more information go to www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au
Non-compliance with the legislation should be reported to the South Australian Environment Protection Authority (EPA SA).
Phone: (08) 8204 2004
Email: EPASUPteam@sa.gov.au
Website: www.epa.sa.gov.au