Single-use plastic products are being phased out in all Australian states and territories, with uniform national rules on the horizon.
From November 1, NSW will ban the sale of plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and cotton swabs, with other jurisdictions taking similar measures at their own pace. Australia's last state to implement a "plastic ban"!
The new state ban will also include polystyrene food packaging and microbeads in personal care products. It is reported that since June this year, the new state has banned the use of lightweight plastic bags. Businesses selling prohibited items will face fines of up to A$55,000 and those continuing to deliberately flout the rules will face fines of up to A$275,000. At a meeting of environment directors this week, it was decided to develop a uniform set of national policies around single-use plastics.
Queensland has banned single-use plastic straws and cups and will extend the ban to cotton swabs next year.
Victoria plans to follow New State's blanket ban next February, and other states have pledged to take similar action at varying speeds.
The national retail body has called for a uniform national policy on plastic use.
Paul Zahra, chief executive of the Australian Retailers Association, said it was particularly difficult for smaller retailers to cope with the different systems.
He told the Sydney Morning Herald, "The challenge we face is that across the country, different products are being phased out at different times."
Major supermarket chains such as Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have removed many single-use plastic products from their shelves.
