End of line for disposal plastic cups for cold drinks in WA

The sale or supply of single-use plastic cold beverage cups has been banned from today (1 October) in Western Australia, completing the first stage of the state’s Plan for Plastics.

The bans will save 430 million single-use plastics from landfill or litter in WA each year, with cold cups accounting for more than 40 per cent.

Nine items have been phased out as part of WA’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 1 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 statewide ban coincides with McDonald’s replacing about 17.5 million plastic cold beverage cups and lids in its McCafés across the state, in an Australian first. This means that about 140 tonnes of plastic will be removed from annual circulation.

The State 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 http://www.plasticsbanwa.com.au

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.

Transition timeframes for Stage 2 banned products, including single-use plastic coffee cups, will be determined through consultation up to 18 November 2022.

Environment Minister Reece Whitby said: “It’s great to see Western Australians embrace the first stage of our Plan for Plastics, and many businesses have already completed the transition.

“This is another positive step in reducing our impact on the environment, which has the public’s overwhelming support.

“We can be proud that our state continues to lead the way in tackling single-use plastics.”