The following guide provides information about the proposed ban on plastic confetti, plastic balloon sticks and plastic balloon ties, as drafted in the draft Single-Use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) (Prohibited Plastic Products) Amendment Regulations 2024.
At a glance
These bans will commence on 1 September 2024:
- Plastic confetti designed or intended to be used for scattering, throwing, decorating or being released at celebrations/events, such as wedding ceremonies, parades, concerts, sporting events and parties will be banned.
- Plastic balloon sticks and plastic balloon ties (including those sold in kits) will also be banned from this date.
What you need to know
Confetti
South Australia will be the first Australian jurisdiction to prohibit the sale, supply or distribution of plastic confetti products. The ban is focused on pieces of plastic designed or intended to be used for scattering, throwing, decorating or being released (for example via a device such as a canon, balloon or party popper gun) at events, like wedding ceremonies, parades, concerts, sporting events and parties. The ban is designed to prevent intentional or unintentional littering of plastic pieces into the environment.
What will be banned?
- Pieces of plastic designed to be thrown by hand or projected into the air using a cannon or other device, including plastic streamers
- Pieces of plastic designed to be scattered on tables or other surfaces as decorations
- Pieces of plastic enclosed in a balloon (helium or otherwise) either as a decoration or as a material which could be released from the balloon for dramatic effect (for example, a balloon popped to release coloured plastic confetti).
What won’t be banned?
- Sequins, diamantes, beads and other plastic decorations designed and intended to be sewn or otherwise attached to a piece of fabric or garment
- Confetti enclosed in a non-single-use item, such as confetti inside a pen, or as a decoration inside a clear pencil case or snow globe
- Small plastic party poppers containing paper streamers
- Glitter – tiny pieces of plastic, generally bright colours and/or shiny, used as decoration on cards or enclosed in reusable products, such as pens, backpacks and pencil cases
- Small pieces of plastic attached to another object using a form of adhesive or enclosed in a product where it cannot be littered
Balloon sticks and ties
What will be banned?
- Plastic ties that can be attached to a balloon stick or built into a balloon stick
- Plastic ties used to clip a ribbon to a balloon
- Plastic balloon cups, plastic balloon clips, plastic balloon ‘H’ clips and plastic flower balloon clips
- Plastic balloon clips/ties sold in a pack with other balloon accessories (with balloons, strings, balloon stand, balloon stick)
- Plastic balloon sticks, which are typically about 50cm long and used to carry or display balloons
What won’t be banned?
- Ribbons used to tie directly to balloons
- Aids to assist people in tying a knot in a balloon
- Garland tape for multiple balloon decorations
