SOME single-use plastics are set to be banned across South Australia from early next year, after new legislation was passed last week.
The Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Bill 2020 bans the sale, supply and distribution of single-use plastics products such as straws, cutlery and beverage stirrers in the state.
Plans were in place to phase in the bans this year, but the laws will now not come into place until early 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first items to be phased out will include plastic straws, cutlery and beverage stirrers and could be followed by coffee cups and disposable produce bags.
Environment minister David Spiers said South Australians were “keen to see action” on single-use plastics.
“There has been significant community and industry support for swift action on single-use plastic products with many households and businesses across the state already taking steps to remove them,”
he said.
“This will give businesses time to bounce back and properly prepare before the ban comes into effect in early 2021.
“This approach strikes an appropriate balance between the public’s desire for change and the needs of businesses.
“Our legislation has been developed with the help of our Single-Use Plastics Taskforce which has representation from 15 different organisations, including people living with a disability.
“Through this taskforce we’ve developed an approach that balances the benefit to the environment with minimising impact for businesses and accommodating the needs of people living with a disability who might find themselves reliant on certain single-use plastics.”
The changes will not affect public Gawler events, with Gawler Council announcing its own ban on single-use plastics earlier this year.
Mr Spiers said South Australia had always “led the nation and the world when it comes to making important decisions to protect our environment”.
“We were the first state in Australia to introduce deposits on containers, the first state in Australia to ban lightweight plastic bags and we’re now the first state to pass legislation banning single-use plastics,” he
said.
“The Marshall Liberal Government is committed to working with the community and stakeholders in South Australia to ensure that we continue to maintain this state’s reputation as a leader in waste management.”