The sunshine state has given a swathe of single-use plastics the flick, with the latest ban taking effect today as part of efforts to stop waste from ending up in local waterways, beaches and landfill.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the ban would help reduce single-use plastic pollution by 20 per cent during the next two years.
The September 1 ban covers single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates and unenclosed bowls, as well as single-use takeaway containers and cups made from expanded polystyrene.
The ban will stop these items being supplied in Queensland, including items provided free with purchased meals or sold in packets as party supplies.
“Half of all plastics are only designed to be used once. That has led to more than 75 per cent of the waste removed from our beaches being made of plastic,” Palaszczuk said.
“Preventing this rubbish from ending up in our beaches and waterways will protect animals like turtles, which alone have a 20 per cent chance of dying if they ingest just one piece of plastic. Today’s ban, a part of our war on waste, will also help to protect the Great Barrier Reef – along with the $6 billion and 60,000 jobs it supports.
“We know that these measures work. We’ve already seen the benefits of the lightweight single-use plastic shopping bag ban, with surveys showing a 70 per cent reduction in all plastic bag litter since the bag ban began in 2018. We’ve also seen more than four billion containers exchanged through our popular Containers for Change program.”
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the government, in partnership with the National Retail Association, had helped more than 5000 businesses prepare for the ban during the past three months.
“There will be exemptions to ensure that Queenslanders with disability or healthcare needs can continue to access and use items necessary for them,” Scanlon said.
Dominique Lamb, Chief Executive, National Retail Association said many retailers had been transitioning to more sustainable and reusable items for some time.
“We’ve gone to over 310 centres and shopping strips throughout the state, providing resources and advice to cafes, restaurants, food outlets, discount stores, supermarkets, party suppliers, markets and many more,” Lamb said.
Until October, Boomerang Alliance is hosting forums throughout Queensland to help prepare community groups and the community for the ban.
For more information about the forums visit: eventbrite.com.au/e/qld-plastic-ban-tour-2021-tickets-156022305917.
For more information about the items to be banned visit: www.qld.gov.au/environment/pollution/management/waste/recovery/reduction/plastic-pollution/single-use-plastic-products-ban
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