A ban on many single-use plastics has taken effect in Queensland, in an effort to stop waste from ending up in waterways, beaches and landfill.
The ban includes single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates and unenclosed bowls, as well as single-use takeaway containers and cups made from expanded polystyrene.
It will stop these items being supplied in Queensland, including being provided free with purchased meals or sold in packets as party supplies.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it would help reduce single-use plastic pollution by 20% during the next two years.
“Half of all plastics are only designed to be used once. That has led to more than 75% of the waste removed from our beaches being made of plastic,” she said.
“Preventing this rubbish from ending up in our beaches and waterways will protect animals like turtles, which alone have a 20% chance of dying if they ingest just one piece of plastic.
“The ban, a part of our war on waste, will also help to protect the Great Barrier Reef – along with the $6 billion and 60,000 jobs it supports.
“We know that these measures work. We’ve already seen the benefits of the lightweight single-use plastic shopping bag ban, with surveys showing a 70% reduction in all plastic bag litter since the bag ban began in 2018.
“We’ve also seen more than four billion containers exchanged through our popular Containers for Change program.”
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said banning single-use plastics added to the State Government’s record $1.4 billion investment to protect the environment, support business and create jobs as part of the state’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
“In partnership with the National Retail Association, we’ve already engaged with more than 5000 businesses over the past three months, helping small to large retailers to prepare for the ban.”
Boomerang Alliance is currently hosting forums throughout Queensland, on behalf of the Queensland Government, to help prepare community groups and the community for the upcoming ban.
Toby Hutcheon, Queensland Manager of Boomerang Alliance, said the forums answered questions on what items are included in the ban, what alternative products can be used, and how individual businesses and the community can adapt to the ban.
“We’ve been very impressed with the take up of these forums, with more than 400 attendees so far,” Mr Hutcheon said.
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“The forums are held in the evenings and consist of a 30-minute presentation and a Q&A session, providing explanations on how to avoid and reduce single-use plastics in specific scenarios, such as at sausage sizzles and sports events.
“The forums will continue right through to October at many locations across the state.”
Information on the forums is available at eventbrite.com.au/e/qld-plastic-ban-tour-2021-tickets-156022305917.
Sunshine Coast Mayor and Local Government Association of Queensland President, Mark Jamieson, said earlier this year the ban would be a great environmental outcome for Queensland.
“Local councils have been strong advocates for this ban, including its expansion to include EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) products and we thank the State Government for listening to our concerns and those of other stakeholders,” he said.
“Keeping single-use plastic items from littering our waterways and marine environments and reducing a threat to the Great Barrier Reef and its ecosystem is a fantastic outcome for the environment and for our local communities as we strive towards a more sustainable future.
“This ban eliminates a key problem waste stream from council landfills while tackling the management of litter head on.
“Importantly, the laws passed by Parliament provide protections to ensure those Queenslanders who need to access these products for health reasons still can.”
Information, resources and signage for businesses are available at qldplasticsban.com.au and businesses can call the NRA’s tollfree hotline 1800 844 946 for advice.
