NSW Plastics Plan 2.0 released

The New South Wales Government has announced the next phase of single-use and problematic plastic phase-outs, developing a ‘green’ and ‘red’ list of chemicals which are and are not allowed to be used in plastic items.

In an Australian first, this list will identify chemicals to phase out which are known to cause problems for human health and the environment, and which have safer alternatives already in use.

The NSW Plastics Plan 2.0 sets out the next steps to reduce plastic waste in the environment and in landfill and will target unnecessary and hard-to-recycle plastic products.

The phase-in will be managed in stages to allow business to adjust and find practical alternatives, giving business and industry time to transition while helping to reduce waste and landfill demand.

Plastic remains one of the state’s biggest environmental challenges. It makes up around 74 per cent of litter in waterways.

The NSW Plastics Plan 2.0 includes the phase out of plastic bread tags and pizza savers from late 2027, the phase out of non-compostable plastic fruit and vegetable stickers by 2030, and the phase out of small condiment containers, such as soy sauce fish bottles, and similar single-use packaging that cannot be recycled by 2030.

The state will introduce tethered lids (meaning the cap or lid on a plastic bottle must remain attached to the bottle itself, even after it’s opened) for plastic bottles by 2030 and require takeaway food service businesses to accept reusable cups by 2028 and large food service businesses to provide reusable cup options by 2030.

Also outlined in the Plan, the state will require the redesign of takeaway food containers, such as plastic bowls with lids, bento boxes and sushi trays, to ensure they can be recycled safely.

The state will regulate harmful chemical additives in plastic food and beverage packaging to prevent toxins entering soil, water and the food chain and ban lighter-than-air (helium) balloon releases, in line with other states.

The government states the changes will encourage new investment in recycling infrastructure and reusable products.

The New South Wales Government will continue consultation with industry, small businesses, manufacturers, retailers and councils, as well as the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) which has already been consulting with industry in detail about the plastics plan.

Penny Sharpe, Minister for the Environment, said the plan moves the state another step closer to phasing out problematic items.

“Microplastics are entering our bodies and plastic is polluting our environment and oceans, killing our wildlife,” said Sharpe.

“Our plan has carefully considered actions we need to take to protect the environment and human health, while also considering how we can support industry to transition to recyclable or reusable alternatives.

“The great news is that industry is already moving this way – many businesses are leading the way in developing alternatives to single-use plastics.”

For more information, visit: www.epa.nsw.gov.au