About the new laws – from March 1, 2021
- 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.
About the new laws – from March 1, 2022
- 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 campaign
- 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.
What’s wrong with single-use plastics?
- 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.
Key statistics
- 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
How does this affect my business?
- 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.
- Explain these are a better alternative to plastic because
Responding to customer queries
- 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.
More information
Visit replacethewaste.sa.gov.au
Call the helpline 1800 844 946
Email sup@sa.gov.au