Single-use plastic cups for cold drinks banned in Western Australia from today

The sale or supply of single-use plastic cold beverage cups has been banned from today in Western Australia with the move completing the first stage of the state's Plan for Plastics.

People that require single-use plastic items to maintain their quality of life, such as those in the disability, aged care and health sectors, will be ensured a continued supply.

Single-use plastic takeaway coffee cups among other plastic products will be targeted in the next stage, which will be introduced from February 2023. Disposable options will also still exist, with certified compostable cups and lids excluded from the ban and already widely used by businesses.

Leading the rest of the country in introducing the ban, it is expected that 430 million single-use plastics will be saved from landfill or littering in Western Australia each year.

Nine items have been phased out as part of Western Australia's Plan for Plastics first stage since July, including plates, cutlery, drink stirrers, drinking straws, thick plastic bags, expanded polystyrene food containers, helium balloon releases and unlidded containers.

The Stage 1 bans are estimated to eliminate large amounts of single-use plastics every year, including 300 million plastic straws, 50 million pieces of plastic cutlery and more than 110 million thick plastic shopping bags.

The extended transition period to 1st October for cold cups was to allow retailers and suppliers to access support to help them transition to single-use plastic alternatives.

Western Australia continues to lead the way and the State-wide ban coincides with McDonald's replacing approximately 17.5 million plastic cold beverage cups and lids in its McCafés across the State, in an Australian first. This means that around 140 tonnes of plastic will be removed from annual circulation.

The Western Australian Government is urging businesses to make the switch, and will continue to use a common-sense, education-first approach to enforcing the ban. Businesses or community groups needing support can visit www.plasticsbanwa.com.au

Transition timeframes for Stage 2 banned products, including single-use plastic coffee cups, will be determined through consultation.

To have your say, visit www.wa.gov.au/planforplastics by 18th November 2022.