First Australian state to ban single-use plastics

South Australia is the first state in the nation to pass legislation to ban the sale, supply and distribution of single-use plastic products such as straws, cutlery and beverage stirrers.

South Australia’s ban on single-use plastics commenced on 1 March 2021.

Environment and Water Minister David Speirs today announced the start date during a visit to House of Health Collective – one of the first South Australian businesses to officially go single-use plastic free.

South Australia is leading the way nationally with our action on single-use plastics and the ban will start from 1 March 2021,” Speirs said.

“Our legislation at first bans single-use plastic items like straws, cutlery and beverage stirrers and will expand to include other items such as polystyrene cups, bowls and plates in early 2022. There is also a framework for adding more items in the future.”

He noted that there has been an overwhelming call from the community for urgent action on single-use plastic products since he released the Turning the Tide discussion paper in 2019.

“I congratulate businesses such as House of Health Collective who are already voluntarily making changes ahead of 1 March 2021,” he said.

“Businesses are urged to prepare now by deleting these items from inventories, using up existing stocks, ordering alternatives, having signage in place and training staff.”

Speirs said the legislation has been developed with the help of its Single-Use Plastics Taskforce which has representation from 15 different organisations, including people living with a disability.

“Through this taskforce we’ve developed an approach that balances the benefit to the environment while minimising impact for businesses and recognising the needs of people who rely on single-use plastic straws to safely consume beverages and food,

“There will be direct engagement across metropolitan and regional South Australia from early January to help South Australians get ready for the change and a handy hotline has also been established to help businesses, cafés and restaurants with the transition.”

House of Health Collective was the first business in the CBD to achieve ‘Plastic Free Champion’ status earlier this year and co-owners Chester & Robert Frank and Alex & Ivan Oulianoff have now expanded their offerings with the opening of Sustainable Co Eco Store today.

“For the past 30 years our business has been championing sustainability and we are big supporters of the push towards reducing single-use plastics in our environment, a move our business made well in advance of this legislated ban,” said co-owner Chester Frank.

“We pride ourselves on being a sustainable and environmentally-friendly business and the response from our customers since going plastic free has been amazing,” said co-owner Robert Frank.

“Our business prides itself on providing accessibility for our customers to products that allow them to tread more lightly in an environmental sense. This expansion today provides greater access to our customer community of an ever-expanding range of sustainable products,” said co-owner Ivan Oulianoff.

‘We appreciate the support from our customers and suppliers over the years that have provided us the opportunity to expand our range today.”

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