Talking Points

The South Australian state government is introducing new laws to prohibit or restrict some single-use plastic products being sold, supplied or distributed in the state.
From March 1, 2021 single-use plastic straws will be restricted, and single-use plastic cutlery and stirrers will be banned.
There will be exemptions for single-use plastic straws to ensure these can still be accessed by people with disabilities or medical needs.
Details on how these single-use plastic straws will be accessed are being finalised.
There are serious penalties for not complying with the legislation.

From March 1, 2022 expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates and clamshell containers will be banned.
Oxo-degradable plastic products will be banned from manufacture and production in the state.
Oxo-degradable plastic products have additives that cause the plastic to break down into tiny fragments called ‘microplastics' which don’t completely decompose.

The state government is running the Replace the Waste campaign to help business and the community understand the new law and prepare for any changes.
The replacethewaste.sa.gov.au website and the Green Industries SA office phone 8204 2051 are the key ways to get more information or request help.
Advertising will run in February and March to ensure the community is aware of the changes and there will be a Replace the Waste campaign on Facebook.

Unfortunately many customers don’t dispose of plastic items in a responsible manner. Much of it is littered or overflows from bins into waterways.
Plastics never break down, they just get smaller and turn into plastic dust which can leach into our waterways and even into our food chain.
Plastic litter is responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of seabirds, turtles, penguins and dolphins each year.

Takeaway food and beverage packaging makes up more than one third of the litter found on Australian beaches.
In total, half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once — and then thrown away.
At least 8 million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean each year – which is equivalent to dumping the contents of one garbage truck into the ocean per minute.
For more information CLICK HERE

Explain your decision regarding whether you will continue to provide single-use plastic straws for people with a disability and health needs.
Explain and show the alternative products you will be providing/stocking, for example:
- Single-use or multiple-use utensils will be available or offered only on request
- No alternatives will be provided for some items, for example, beverage stirrers
If choosing paper and wood single-use products:
- Explain these are a better alternative to plastic because
  - 100% of paper and wood products can be recycled or composted in South Australia; and
  - If these products enter the environment, they will break down in the natural environment over time – unlike plastics which break down into tiny fragments.

There is overwhelming community support for the bans, but some customers may be less prepared or unhappy with the changes.
Explain what your business is doing in response to the new law, for example:
- Displaying notices explaining the law (download from replacethewaste.sa.gov.au)
- Placing Point of Sale material at the register to remind customers about the ban.
- Remind customers the ban has been introduced by the South Australian government and is being applied to all businesses in the state.
- Explain that businesses face significant penalties if banned items are supplied.
- Explain that the ban is helping to protect the environment by avoiding waste, reducing litter and the harm to wildlife, including marine life.
- Give customers a contact card with the state government’s replacethewaste.sa.gov.au details.

Call the helpline 1800 844 946