Single-use items such as beverage and food containers are now officially banned across South Australia.
The state government announced from September 1, single-use plastic items including hot and cold beverage containers, food containers for ready-to-eat take away food, food bag tags, confetti, balloon sticks and ties will be banned.
Changes from 1 September 2024:
- Plastic barrier bags will be banned, enabling the market to switch to compostable alternatives, that are certified to Australian Standards.
- Thick supermarket or boutique-style plastic bags will be banned. There are alternatives for these and the timing of this ban allows retailers to source alternatives and inform customers.
- Single-use plastic beverage containers (including coffee cups) offer convenience for consumers, but these items and their attachments (such as lids and beverage plugs) have limited recovery and recycling pathways. Fibre and other compostable, or non-plastic recyclable or reusable alternatives can replace single-use plastic food containers with various alternatives already available and in use.
- Expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates and clamshell containers were prohibited from sale, supply and distribution in South Australia on 1 March 2022. Other expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food and beverage containers in the market (e.g. gelato tubs) will also be banned. EPS trays used for meat, fruit and other food items for retail sale will be banned.
- Plastic confetti will be banned in South Australia. The interpretation of what constitutes confetti will be defined in the regulations to follow.
- Plastic balloon sticks/ties will be banned.
- Food bag tags can be replaced with non-plastic alternatives, as has already been introduced by at least one major bread producer.
Certified compostable‘bioplastic’ food and beverage containers are still allowed, as well as certified compostable bags, as these are compatible with council kitchen caddies.
From September 1, 2025, plastic fruit stickers, plastic soy sauce fish and pre-packaged products will no longer be sold, supplied or distributed in the state.
For businesses who are unsure, or need advice on alternatives and banned items visit replacethewaste.sa.gov.au
