Queensland Government moves to ban single-use plastics to save marine life

The Queensland Government introduced legislation on Wednesday (15th July) that will ban single use plastics such as plastic straws, cutlery, stirrers and plates in a bid to stem the destructive effects of plastic on marine life and waterways.

This follows the commitment from South Australia and the ACT to introducing similar laws this year.

New South Wales and Western Australia recently completed public consultations that canvassed the idea of a ban on single use plastics. They are yet to announce their plans.

If legislation is passed by the Queensland Government, the earliest date the ban would commence would be 1st July 2021, to give businesses, schools and other facilities time to plan for the changes.

The laws include exemptions for people with disabilities or medical requirements to allow outlets such as pharmacies, and schools and care facilities to make plastic straws available to people who need them.

The legislation also allows for the ban to be extended to items such as coffee cups, polystyrene cups, takeaway containers and heavyweight plastic bags after public consultation.

Public consultation by the Queensland government in March found 94% of people and businesses surveyed supported banning single-use plastic straws, plates, cutlery and stirrers with Queensland Minister for Environment, Leeanne Enoch noting “that’s an overwhelming statement from communities wanting to find a positive solution to reducing plastic waste and protecting our environment.”

Minister Enoch advised the start date was flexible, given businesses would need to source new products at a time when they were also managing the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the introduction of the legislation on Wednesday, WWF Australia ranked Queensland No 1 on a new single-use plastics scorecard comparing policies in Australian states and territories.

The ACT and South Australia both ranked second, with Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory equal last.

WWF Australia No Plastic in Nature Policy Manager, Katinka Day enthuses “It’s wonderful to see the sunshine state leading the way to phase out some of the most littered plastics on our beautiful beaches.

“Plastic items like straws, plates and utensils are often discarded after a single use, ending up in landfill or our oceans for hundreds of years.”

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has congratulated the Queensland Government for taking steps to address plastic pollution in a bid to save marine wildlife such as whales and turtles.

AMCS’s plastics spokesperson, Shane Cucow explained “plastic straws and cutlery are among the most lethal plastics for wildlife like seabirds and turtles.

“Sharp, highly likely to be contaminated and commonly found in waterways, these plastics can cause serious injuries. They get stuck in airways and cause painful internal injuries and poisoning when eaten.”

Following Queenslan's actions to ban lightweight plastic bags from July 2018 and implement a container deposit scheme from November 2018, these proposed laws would make Queensland one of Australia’s leading states in the fight against plastic.

Cucow adds “as custodians of our World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and many other incredible marine environments, Queensland has a sacred responsibility to protect our iconic ocean wildlife.

Cucow said it was important the laws were quickly expanded to ban other lethal single use plastics including plastic cups, fruit and veggie bags, balloons, plastic takeaway containers and heavyweight plastic bags.

“With earth friendly alternatives now widely available, it’s time to ditch killer plastics throughout all of Australia.”