Single-use plastic bans come into effect TODAY in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. What are the new rules?
Across the country, more and more single-use plastics, including microbeads, packaging peanuts and balloons, are being phased out.
Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia introduced new bans to varying degrees on Friday.
All three states have banned the use of plastic-handled cotton swabs, while WA has also banned the packaging of peanuts, microbeads, and plastic cups and bowls for raw meat.
Washington Environment Secretary Reece Whitby said the feedback from the companies had been “overwhelmingly positive”.
WA has banned packaging of peanuts, microbeads, and plastic cups and trays for raw meat
“We will continue to take a sensible and educational approach to enforcing these bans,” he said.
Plastic pizza containers and single-use bowls and plates are to be banned in South Africa as the government reassures businesses that transition programs are available.
The Queensland government has also banned microbeads and packaging peanuts, and halted the mass release of “lighter-than-air” balloons.
This puts QLD on par with all other states except NSW and the ACT.
Australia doesn’t have an overarching plastic master plan, allowing states and territories to enact their own bans, frustrating the Australian Retail Federation.
“The introduction of three different sets of rules in three states on the same day underscores the logistical problems caused by state-to-state adoption and the need for national alignment,” said Paul Zahra, CEO of the association.
“Our members have told us that if we had had a national framework and education program, we could have moved away from single-use plastics much more quickly.”
Mr Zahra said the retailers association will continue to work to ensure governments take an “education before enforcement” approach to bans.
