5 single-use plastic items that will be banned in NSW this year
Here’s what customers should expect.
Here’s what customers should expect.
From Wednesday 1 June, NSW Government legislation bans certain single-use plastic items. Businesses will no longer be able to supply these items and customers will no longer be able to receive them, including when buying takeaway food.
It’s all part of the NSW Government’s plan to phase out single-use plastics and reduce the harmful impact these items have on our environment.
Instead of seeking out single-use plastic alternatives, like paper or bamboo, let’s say goodbye to single-use items altogether. Read on and use our Eliminating single-use toolkit for more ways to do this.
Many of us are already in the habit of carrying a reusable bag but lightweight plastic bags will be officially banned across the state from Wednesday 1 June.
Lightweight bags made from biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics or bio-plastics will also be banned, including those made from Australian certified compostable plastic.
The ban doesn’t apply to barrier bags such as bin liners, nappy bags or dog poop bags, produce and deli bags, or bags used to contain medical waste.
From Tuesday 1 November, single-use plastic straws, stirrers, swizzle sticks, cutlery, including forks, spoons, knives, sporks, splayds, chopsticks, and food picks are banned. This includes items made from biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics or bio-plastics. Some exemptions apply.
From Tuesday 1 November, single-use bowls and plates are also banned, including items made from biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics or bio-plastics.
The ban doesn’t apply to single-use plastic bowls designed to have a spill-proof lid, such as those used for takeaway soup. Find out more about the exemption.
From Tuesday 1 November, all expanded polystyrene food service items are banned in NSW, such as clamshells, cups, plates and bowls.
From Tuesday 1 November, you’ll no longer be able to buy single-use plastic cotton buds and rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads, such as face and body cleansers, exfoliants and masks, shampoo, conditioner, hair dyes and toothpaste.
The reusable beauty market is growing. Look for reusable silicon ear buds that you can clean and use again.
Most items made from compostable plastic and bioplastics look just like regular plastic but they can’t be recycled at the same facilities. They don’t biodegrade unless they’re treated in a commercial composting facility.
If compostable plastics or bioplastics end up in landfill or as litter in the environment, they won’t break down and create just as big a problem as conventional plastic.
Supplying compostable plastic and bioplastic straws, cutlery, stirrers, bowls and plates is not allowed under the NSW ban, even if they’re labelled plastic-free.
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