South Australia’s Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 is the first legislation of its kind in Australia.
It’s a positive step towards avoiding waste and reducing the harm caused to our wildlife, including marine life, through litter and pollution.
South Australians are committed to protecting the environment.
We will lead the rest of the country by avoiding and replacing waste with reusable or recyclable alternatives to ensure the best environmental outcome for our ‘clean and green’ state.
This is something we can all get behind and be proud of.
From March 1, 2021
Single-use plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers will be prohibited from sale, supply or distribution in South Australia including bioplastic alternatives. These single-use items can be replaced with reusable and plastic-free compostable alternatives. Exemptions apply for single-use plastic straws.
From March 1, 2022
Expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates and clamshell containers will also be prohibited from sale, supply or distribution in South Australia.
Oxo-degradable plastic products will also be prohibited from sale, supply or distribution as well as manufacture or production in the state. Oxo-degradable plastic products have additives which enable the plastic to break down into tiny fragments (‘microplastics’) which do not completely decompose.