Queensland is cracking down on single-use plastics. So, which plastics will be phased out within the next five years? Let’s take a look!
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Which Single-Use Plastics Are Already Banned In Queensland?
The Queensland Government is working to phase out a huge range of single-use plastic items. Beginning on September 1st, 2021 — the ‘single-use plastic items ban’ officially came into effect! In this first round of bans, the Queensland Government targeted some of the most common (and wasteful!) sources of single-use plastic.
Some of these items included: straws, stirrers, plates and bowls, single-use knives, forks, spoons, teaspoons, chopsticks, polystyrene takeaway food containers, plates, and cups.
"Single-use plastics are problematic, and Queenslanders have made it clear they want to give more of them the punt. They don't break down — they fill up our dumps and they kill wildlife,” said Environment Minister, Meaghan Scanlon.
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These Single-Use Plastics Will Be Banned By September 2023!
Queenslanders have shown strong support for the single-use plastics ban, and that’s why the Queensland Government is set to phase out a bunch of additional problematic plastics.
By September 1st, 2023, Queenslanders will no longer be able to purchase the following items: cotton buds with plastic stems, expanded polystyrene loose packaging, plastic microbeads in rinseable personal care and cleaning products, and heavy weight plastic shopping bags.
Plus, we’re glad to hear that the Queensland Government has announced the ban on the mass release of balloons into the air, often seen at weddings, parties, etc. Balloons are the #1 deadliest form of litter when ingested by seabirds. They are 32x more likely to die when they swallow balloons than any form of hard plastic, according to the CSIRO.
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What Items Will Be Phased Out Next In The Five-Year Roadmap?
The Queensland Government has put together a proposed five-year roadmap to map out the future of single-use plastic bans! "Our roadmap will phase out other problematic single-use plastics over the next five years, including the aim to phase out disposable coffee cups and lids following work with other states and territories. Of course, we will continue to work with retailers, community groups and suppliers so they have the alternative products in place,” said Minister Scanlon.
So, what’s on the list? Well, by September 1st, 2024, the following items may be banned: plastic drinking cups, oxo-degradable plastics, expanded polystyrene trays, single-use produce bags, balloon sticks, closures, clips, bread bag tags, and plastic corflute tree guards. By September 1st, 2025, we hope to see even more items banned!
This is fantastic news coming out of Queensland! Enforcing bans on problematic single-use plastics is the first step to solving our growing waste issue. Already, Australians are learning to live without single-use plastics and adapt to these changes. Hopefully, by 2025 — our society will be mostly plastic-free!
For more plastic ban updates in Australia and around the world, check out our Eco News category and the blogs below.
Australia To Phase Out Single-Use Plastics By 2025
