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Plastics to be banned in one Australian state within weeks with enormous fines for those who break the rules – here’s how the ban will change your life forever
- Single-use plastic cutlery, straws, plates, bowls and containers will be banned
- The new plastic ban is set to be enforced from November 1 throughout NSW
- It’s the latest phase of the government’s plan to phase out throwaway plastic
- Businesses caught using the prohibited plastic items face fines up to $55,000
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All single-use plastic will soon be banned in NSW, with companies told to consider ‘charging extra’ for throwaway items including cutlery and containers.
The ban will take effect from November 1 and see all venues in NSW, including charities, barred from providing plastic cutlery, plates, bowls, straws and stirrers.
It also prohibits compostable plastics and bioplastics because they cannot break down outside of commercial composting facilities.
The latest bans marks the next phase of the NSW Government’s plan to phase out single-use plastic completely.
Sydney City Council recommended businesses switch to re-usable products for customers who dine in-store, use bamboo or paper alternatives and charge customers extra for single-use takeaway products.
While most of the bans will primarily affect the hospitality sector, the ban on plastic cotton buds will target the beauty industry.
Instead of using plastic cotton buds, typically used in the industry to clean up dyes, the NSW Government recommends businesses use paper or bamboo-based products.
Single-use cutlery, stirrers, bowls, plates, straws and polystyrene containers will be banned in NSW from November 1
Individuals are encouraged to consider using reusable silicone earbuds.
The ban initially was set to include the probation of paper-based products with a plastic lining, but a two-year exemption will see them continue in circulation until October 31, 2024.
The NSW Government based its phases of the ban on what items are most often littered and claimed the ban will see 2.7 billion plastic products prevented from entering the environment.
Businesses caught using single-use plastics, like plastic cutlery, risk fines up to $55,000
Businesses caught breaching the ban can be fined up to $55,000 while individuals risk fines up to $11,000.
Manufacturers caught supplying banned items risk fines up to $110,000.
The ban does not include single-use plastic bowls with spill-proof lids, serving utensils, pre-packaged items (like plastic straws attached to juices) and foam crates used to transport raw food (like seafood and meat).
The NSW Government’s last ban on June 1 saw the use of lightweight plastic bags prohibited, with customers required to use ‘heavyweight’ reusable bags
People with medical needs are exempt from the ban.
The previous phase on June 1 saw lightweight plastic bags banned from use in NSW.
The ban excluded reusable plastic bags, bin bags, produce bags, medical plastics and animal waste bags.