In June 2025, the scheduled ban on non-compostable plastic produce stickers originally set for 1 September 2025 in South Australia was paused to provide additional time for growers, industry groups and other stakeholders to identify, trial and adopt alternatives, and for the South Australian government to work with other jurisdictions to develop new transition timeframes.
Ahead of the announced pause, growers outlined challenges implementing compostable stickers given the additional costs, lack of preparation and national market complexities, as well as South Australia’s small market size. The South Australian government seeks a smooth transition, while also listening to community feedback, and seeking to reduce the ongoing impacts of non-compostable plastic produce stickers on the organics recycling sector.
Plastic produce stickers are a priority item for action under the National Roadmap: Harmonising action on problematic and unnecessary plastics. When left on items placed in food organic and garden organics (FOGO) collections, they contaminate compost and reduce the quality of materials that are vital for returning nutrients to soils and embracing a circular economy. States and territories continue working together to address these plastics consistently, without stepping back from existing commitments or preventing leadership by individual states.
While it is understood that national systems are preferred by industry operating across jurisdictions, single-use plastics regulations are jurisdictionally based and historically have been progressively introduced, aligning actions where possible.
South Australia has a history in leading bans on single-use plastics and the direction and remains committed to phasing out non-compostable plastic produce stickers.
Since the pause on the ban was announced, Green Industries SA has undertaken research projects to further inform the bans:
- Plastic Produce Sticker Impacts on Compost
- Industry and consumer attitudes towards produce stickers – Findings report.
This research will be considered alongside information provided through consultation processes and roundtable events, and ongoing engagement with stakeholders.
The pause provides additional time for the sector to trial and implement the alternative stickers already available on the market, and to consider where stickers can be removed entirely, especially when not required in contractual arrangements. Growers that are seeking to benefit from a ‘first mover advantage’ from moving earlier to compostable produce stickers are encouraged to continue their progress.