Queensland Government passes legislation to ban single-use plastics

Under new legislation passed by Queensland Parliament yesterday, polystyrene foam food containers and cups as well as single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates will all be banned from 1st September 2021.

Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said there was overwhelming community support for banning these types of products which were too often discarded thoughtlessly and noted “plastic pollution is spoiling our streets and parks, escaping into our ocean and waterways and killing our iconic wildlife.

“Half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once and then thrown away and that litter is destroying our environment.”

Minister Scanlon added that the Queensland Palaszczuk Government takes its responsibility to protecting world-renowned natural features such as the Great Barrier Reef very seriously and the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2020 is the next step in their war on waste.

“We’ve already seen the enormous benefits of the single-use plastic shopping bag ban, with litter surveys showing a 70% reduction in not just lightweight plastic shopping bag litter, but all plastic bag litter since the ban began on 1st July 2018.

“Now, we intend to continue removing these types of products from the environment, with this legislation focusing on single-use straws, stirrers, cutlery, and plates.”

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) welcomed the Queensland Government’s action, following on from South Australia. Queensland becomes the second Australian state or territory to pass laws banning single-use plastics – with South Australia’s ban commencing last week.

Minister Scanlon continued “during our community consultation stage, from March last year, some 94% of the 20,000 respondents supported our proposal to ban these items.

“In addition, our latest online survey, which concluded on 15th January, also supported the inclusion in the ban of expanded polystyrene products such as takeaway food containers and cups – with an overwhelming 98% of 6800 respondents in favour of removing them from our environment.”

Products to be considered for prohibition at a later stage, include coffee cups, takeaway food containers and heavyweight plastic bags.

The laws include exemptions allowing the sale or supply of plastic straws at healthcare businesses or schools, ensuring that people living with a disability or those with a medical need can still access them.

AMCS plastics spokesperson, Shane Cucow noted “these life-saving laws are fantastic news for Queensland’s turtles, whales and seabirds.

“They couldn’t be more timely. Just last month, we saw sickening reports of dead and sick baby turtles washing up on Queensland beaches after swallowing plastic.

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

“These laws are a testament to all the caring Queenslanders who have been demanding action to protect our iconic wildlife. We wouldn’t be here today without their heroic actions.”

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

Queensland used to be one of the worst on plastic pollution. Following their actions to ban lightweight plastic bags and implement a container deposit scheme in 2018, these new laws make Queensland one of Australia’s leading states in the fight against plastic.

Cucow urged other states and territories to quickly follow suit and added “Every day we wait we lose more animal lives. We urge every state and territory to join Queensland and South Australia and ban single-use plastics this year.

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

There will be exemptions to the ban for anyone who may require access to a single-use plastic item, such as a plastic straw, due to permanent or temporary disability or other healthcare needs.

The Queensland Government has already taken strong action to first ban lightweight single-use plastic shopping bags and to then introduce the very successful Container Refund Scheme which has seen nearly 3 billion containers returned for refunds and more than 700 jobs created across Queensland since 2018.

“This legislation also makes provision for more single-use items to be banned through regulation in the future,” Minister Scanlon said.

Peter Olah, National Executive Officer of the Australian Organics Recycling Association, said plastics contamination was the biggest barrier to achieving an even greater environmental and economic contribution through organics recycling.

“Each state must implement a ban on single-use plastics which are not compostable. We congratulate Minister Scanlon and the Queensland Government for leading the way.”