Following a cascade of state-led announcements regarding a phase-out of single-use plastics, Australia has finally agreed upon a national approach! A recent meeting between the nation’s Environment Ministers produced the National Plastics Plan 2021, which will see all single-use plastics phased out by 2025.
South Australia was the first state to ban certain single-use plastics, which has been operating successfully since March 1st!
Queensland and the ACT are set to follow suit this year, and Victoria and Western Australia will phase out certain single-use plastics by 2023. So, there’s definitely action happening on a national scale — but this policy plan will help to kickstart the phase-out process for New South Wales, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
Let’s take a look at which plastics will be banned, the details of the National Plastics Plan 2021, and what this means for you!
Which Plastics will be Phased Out
According to the National Plastics Plan, it refers to “problematic and unnecessary plastics” such as:
- Lightweight plastic bags
- Plastic straws
- Plastic utensils & stirrers
- Polystyrene food containers
- Polystyrene cups
- Polystyrene packaging (for consumer goods)
- Microbeads in beauty products.
We’ve seen various attempts by states and territories to ban single-use plastic bags and other single-use items, but this is the first time that there has been a national consensus on what needs to happen and when.
What's in the National Plastics Ban
The National Plastics Plan recognises that we’ve got a big plastic problem in Australia; we produce around 2.5 million tonnes of plastic per year — that's 100kg per person!
Here’s the biggest problem: only 13% of this plastic is actually recycled. The other 84% goes straight to landfill.
That’s why by 2025, the National Plastics Plan will see:
- The complete phase-out of unnecessary single-use plastic
- 100% of packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable
- Australia’s annual recycling capacity to double
There’s also a focus on better recycling education for consumers, and clearer labelling for supermarket products!
What will it mean for you?
Even though all packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, we know that we have to reduce our overall dependence on single-use items and build better habits. As individuals, we have the power to make better choices and avoid these single-use plastics — even before they’re banned!
Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, going out for lunch, or doing a grocery shop — we’ve got a whole heap of handy reusables that will reduce your dependence on single-use plastics.
Take a look at our range of Water Bottles, Straws, Coffee Cups, Shopping Bags, Cutlery & Food Containers.
You can find all of Flora & Fauna’s Reusable Items here!
If you’re keen to read more positive news like this, visit The Eco Hub for more.
