Most state governments in Australia have planned to implement a single use plastic ban. This can get quite confusing at times, trying to figure out what is/isn’t banned and what replacements are acceptable. We have laid out all relevant information for each state, so we have taken all the guesswork out and you just have the facts. Let us help make the transition to plastic free packaging a smooth one!
State Governments across Australia have begun to introduce and implement their bills for banning problematic single use plastic. All states are different, the implementation dates vary and the products that are banned differ. These legislations will prohibit the sale, supply and distribution of problematic single use products. There will also be exemptions to this ban, mainly within the healthcare and disability sectors, and some exemptions existing in the education sector also.
What makes packaging problematic?
According to APCO, problematic plastic packaging is currently difficult to collect or recover for reuse, recycling or composting. A material that hinders, disrupts or obstructs opportunities to recover other materials or resources. It makes a significant contribution to the plastic litter problem. They are made with PFAS or BPA, it contains or has contained hazardous chemicals or materials that pose a significant risk to human health or the environment. To read more about problematic plastic packaging, click here.
It’s important to be aware of what is happening in your state because many state governments are issuing fines for those companies who sell, supply or distribute any of the banned products (outside of those industries/businesses who are exempt).
The main reason for these legislations is to limit the effect single use plastic has on our environment and the amount of waste than ends up in landfill, causes pollution, litter and harms marine life.
Below is a list of the bans per state & the replacements we at Envirochoice can offer you. If you click the image below, you can download the PDF version of the below information.
| Skip to your state: |
NSW |
NT |
QLD |
SA |
TAS |
VIC |
WA |
For those products that have conditions applied, please view our Ban Catalogue for more detailed information.
An exemption applies for foods of a 'soupy consistency above 60 degrees celcius' until August 2025. The exemption can be reviewed here.
For those products that have conditions applied, please view our Ban Catalogue for more detailed information.