ACT takes action to phase out single-use plastic products

ACT Government is taking action to phase out single-use plastic products as many single-use plastic products are difficult to recycle and as a result end up in landfill or the natural environment.

The ACT has already taken steps to address the impact of single-use plastic through the plastic bag ban introduced in 2011. They are now looking to phase out selected problematic single-use plastic that have readily available alternatives.

Recently, through the ‘Phasing out single-use plastics discussion paper’, the ACT Government consulted broadly with industry, business and the community about ways to avoid and reduce the consumption of single-use plastics. There were over 3,300 responses to the consultation, demonstrating a high degree of community interest in the issue.

The community survey revealed that:

a) 94% support a phase out of polystyrene

b) 93% support a phase out of plastic stirrers and straws

c) 92% support a phase out of plastic lined coffee cups or lids

d) 91% support a phase out of plastic cutlery

e) 91% support a phase out of plastic plates and cups

f) 87% support a phase out of takeaway food containers

g) 85% support a phase out of lightweight fruit and vegetable barrier bags.

An additional survey of the general community was undertaken by the ACT Government which found definite or probable support for:

a) banning single-use plastic straws (77%)

b) banning plastic-lined takeaway coffee cups (71%)

c) banning single-use plastic takeaway containers (68%)

d) banning thicker plastic bags (58%).

In 2020, the ACT Government will introduce legislation to phase out the sale and distribution of selected single-use plastic products. The Plastic Reduction Bill 2020 is proposed to phase out selected, problematic single-use plastics, where alternatives are readily available.

This includes an immediate phase out of three key plastic items including:

• Single-use plastic cutlery

• Single-use plastic stirrers

• Single-use expanded polystyrene takeaway food and beverage containers.

Phase out after 12 months

• Single-use plastic fruit and vegetable ‘barrier bags’.

• Oxo-degradable plastic products (certain plastic products which include additives to accelerate fragmentation into microplastics).

• Single-use plastic straws – except for people who need them because of a disability or for medical reasons.

The following items will be considered in the longer term:

• Plastic-lined single-use coffee cups and lids

• Single-use plastic dinnerware

• Other single-use plastic products including boutique/heavyweight plastic bags

• Cotton ear buds (with plastic sticks)

Find out more in the new report ‘ Phasing out single-use plastics: Next Steps Policy’, available here: www.yoursay.act.gov.au/single-use-plastics