Lyla Lindsey
Australia has been taking steps to reduce plastic pollution and phase out single-use plastics, with varying approaches across different states and territories. Single-use plastic straws have been banned in several states, including South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory. However, exemptions are in place for individuals who require plastic straws due to medical or disability needs. The movement towards banning single-use plastics in Australia aims to address the environmental concerns associated with plastic waste and promote sustainable alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Single-use plastic straws banned in | Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, New South Wales |
| First ban on single-use plastic straws commenced | 1 March 2021 (Queensland and South Australia), 1 July 2022 (Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory), 1 February 2023 (Victoria), 1 November 2022 (New South Wales) |
| Exemptions | People with disabilities or medical needs |
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What You'll Learn
Single-use plastic straws banned in Queensland, WA, ACT, Victoria, and South Australia
Australia has been taking steps to reduce plastic pollution, which has decreased by 29% on its coasts since 2013. Single-use plastic straws have been banned in Queensland, WA, ACT, Victoria, and South Australia.
The Queensland Government's first ban on single-use plastics came into effect on 1 September 2021. This included plastic straws, drink stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls, cotton bud sticks, and polystyrene food and beverage containers.
In 2021, WA fast-tracked its phase-out of single-use plastics, with plastic straws, cups, plates, and cutlery banned from 1 July 2022.
The Australian Capital Territory Government's first ban on single-use plastic items commenced on 1 July 2022, including plastic straws, cutlery, stirrers, and cotton bud sticks.
South Australia has been a frontrunner in addressing single-use plastics. The state parliament passed the Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 on 9 September 2020, the first of its kind in Australia. From 1 March 2021, single-use plastic straws, cutlery, and stirrers were banned from sale, supply, or distribution in South Australia. An exemption allows the continued availability of single-use plastic straws for people with disabilities or medical needs.
The Victorian Government's single-use plastics ban commenced on 1 February 2023, including plastic straws, cutlery, plates, stirrers, and cotton bud sticks. An exemption is also in place for individuals who require straws due to a disability or medical condition.
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Exemptions for disability or medical needs
Australia has been phasing out single-use plastics, with different states implementing their own bans. As of 1 July 2022, single-use plastic straws were banned in the Australian Capital Territory, and from 1 November 2022, they were banned in New South Wales. Queensland's ban on plastic straws came into effect on 1 September 2021, while Victoria's ban started on 1 February 2023. Western Australia's first ban on single-use plastic items, including straws, came into force in 2022.
Despite these bans, exemptions are in place for individuals who require plastic straws for disability or medical needs. In New South Wales, individuals who need plastic straws for these reasons can still access and use them, even after the ban came into effect on 1 November 2022. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is specifically authorised to grant this exemption under the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021. The exemption also applies to suppliers, who can continue to sell and provide plastic straws to those with disabilities or medical needs. This includes hospitality venues, food and drink providers, chemists, pharmacies, health facilities, manufacturers, and online suppliers.
In South Australia, an exemption is being developed to allow the continued sale, supply, and distribution of single-use plastic drinking straws to people with disabilities or medical needs. This may result in certain businesses being permitted to sell and supply plastic straws for these purposes. An exemption is also in place for single-use plastic spoons used for clinical purposes, based on feedback from the healthcare sector. Clinicians advised that alternatives to plastic spoons, such as reusable spoons, are not suitable for certain clinical procedures.
In Western Australia, an exemption for plastic straws used for medical, scientific, forensic, or law enforcement purposes is in place. Wholesalers and distributors may sell plastic straws to businesses for these exempted purposes.
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Plastic pollution reduced by 29% since 2013
Australia has been actively phasing out single-use plastics, including plastic straws, in recent years. The country's efforts have led to a notable reduction in plastic pollution, with a 29% decrease in plastic pollution on Australia's coasts since 2013, according to research by the CSIRO. Despite this achievement, Australia still produces 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, highlighting the need for continued progress in addressing plastic pollution.
The Australian Capital Territory Government's first ban on single-use plastic items, including straws, came into effect on July 1, 2022. Similarly, the New South Wales Government banned single-use plastic straws, among other items, starting November 1, 2022. Other states, such as Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, have also implemented bans on single-use plastics, targeting items like straws, plates, and cutlery. These bans aim to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste and encourage the use of more sustainable alternatives.
One of the earliest adopters of single-use plastic bans in Australia was South Australia. In July 2019, the South Australian government announced its intention to address the negative impacts of single-use plastic products. This led to the passing of the Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 on September 9, 2020, which marked a significant step toward waste reduction in the state. The ban included single-use plastic straws, cutlery, and stirrers, with an exemption for individuals with disabilities or medical needs who require plastic straws.
Following South Australia's lead, other states have implemented similar measures. For instance, the Queensland Government's first ban on single-use plastics, which included straws, stirrers, and cutlery, came into effect on September 1, 2021. Additionally, the Victorian Government's single-use plastics ban commenced on February 1, 2023, prohibiting the sale and supply of plastic straws, plates, cutlery, and drink stirrers. This ban applies to conventional, degradable, and compostable plastics, with exemptions for individuals with disabilities or medical conditions who require single-use plastic straws.
The progress made by Australia in reducing plastic pollution is evident, with a 29% decrease since 2013. The country's ongoing commitment to phasing out single-use plastics, including plastic straws, across various states is a positive step toward a greener future. However, continued efforts and collaboration are necessary to address the remaining plastic waste challenges and further reduce environmental impacts.
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Woolworths and Big W phase out plastic shopping bags
Plastic straws have been banned in several Australian states and territories, including Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and New South Wales. In Queensland, single-use plastic straws, along with other plastic items, were banned starting on September 1, 2021. South Australia's ban on single-use plastic straws went into effect on March 1, 2021. Western Australia fast-tracked its planned phase-out of single-use plastics, with plastic straws being banned starting July 1, 2022. The Australian Capital Territory Government's ban on single-use plastic items, including straws, began on July 1, 2022. New South Wales banned single-use plastic straws on November 1, 2022.
Woolworths and Big W, major Australian retailers, have also taken steps to phase out plastic shopping bags. Woolworths was the first national supermarket to pledge to remove plastic shopping bags, announcing in June 2022 that it would gradually stop selling its 15-cent reusable plastic shopping bags across Australia. Big W, part of the Woolworths Group, followed suit by pledging to phase out its 15- and 45-cent reusable plastic bags by the end of June 2023. This move is expected to eliminate 9,000 tonnes of plastic bags from circulation each year. The phase-out will be implemented gradually, with Woolworths stores in Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory being the first to implement the change, starting as early as March 2022.
The decision by Woolworths and Big W to phase out plastic shopping bags is part of a broader trend in Australia towards reducing single-use plastic consumption and promoting sustainability. Various states and territories within Australia have introduced legislation and taken initiatives to address the environmental impact of single-use plastics. For example, the South Australian Parliament passed the Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020, becoming the first state in Australia to do so. This legislation banned various single-use plastic items and addressed the manufacture, production, distribution, sale, and supply of these products.
Additionally, the Australian Capital Territory Government implemented its first ban on single-use plastic items on July 1, 2022, prohibiting plastic cutlery, drink stirrers, straws, cotton bud sticks, plates, bowls, heavyweight carry bags, and other plastic products. Similarly, the New South Wales Government's first ban on single-use plastics took effect on November 1, 2022, targeting plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls, and other plastic items. These government initiatives complement the efforts of retailers like Woolworths and Big W in reducing plastic waste and encouraging the use of reusable alternatives.
The phase-out of plastic shopping bags by Woolworths and Big W is a significant step towards a more sustainable future. By encouraging customers to bring their own bags, the retailers are promoting a cultural shift away from single-use plastics. While paper bags will still be available for purchase, Woolworths and Big W aim to reduce the overall consumption of bags. This strategy aligns with the broader efforts in Australia to address plastic pollution and its environmental consequences.
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Bans on other single-use plastics in Australia
Australia has been taking steps to ban single-use plastics across its states. The Australian Capital Territory Government’s first ban on single-use plastic items commenced on 1 July 2022, banning plastic cutlery, drink stirrers, straws, cotton bud sticks, plates, bowls, heavyweight carry bags, expanded polystyrene food and beverage containers, expanded polystyrene loose-fill packaging, expanded polystyrene trays, and plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care products.
The New South Wales Government’s first ban on single-use plastics commenced on 1 November 2022, banning plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls, cotton bud sticks, expanded polystyrene food service items, and microbeads in cosmetics. The Northern Territory Government has committed to banning some single-use plastics by 2025 under the NT Circular Economy Strategy.
The Queensland Government’s first ban on single-use plastics commenced on 1 September 2021, banning plastic straws, drink stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls, cotton bud sticks, balloon releases, microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, and expanded polystyrene food and beverage containers. Queensland has also introduced requirements on the durability of heavyweight plastic bags.
The Victorian Government’s single-use plastics ban commenced on 1 February 2023, banning plastic straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, plastic cotton bud sticks, and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers. The ban includes conventional, degradable, and compostable plastic versions of these items.
The Western Australian Government’s first ban on single-use plastic items commenced in 2022, banning plastic cotton bud sticks, cutlery, drink stirrers, produce bags, straws, non-compostable cups, expanded polystyrene food and drink containers, microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, and balloon releases.
South Australia’s first ban on single-use plastics commenced on 1 March 2021, banning plastic straws, drink stirrers, cutlery, bread tags, non-compostable plastic cups, confetti cotton bud sticks, produce bags, pizza savers, plates, bowls, expanded polystyrene food and drink containers, and heavyweight carry bags. Exemptions are in place for single-use plastic bowls required for medical, scientific, forensic, or law enforcement purposes. Plastic barrier bags, thick supermarket or boutique-style plastic bags, expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates, and clamshell containers, plastic confetti, and fruit and vegetable stickers and soy sauce fish will be banned from 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic straws are banned in Australia. The Australian Capital Territory Government’s first ban on single-use plastic items commenced on 1 July 2022.
Many states in Australia have banned plastic straws, including Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory.
The Queensland Government’s first ban on single-use plastics commenced on 1 September 2021.
Yes, people who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to a disability or medical needs can still purchase and use these items.
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