Western Australia launches additional items under Plan for Plastics ban

Takeaway food container lids and loose produce bags are the latest products to be replaced by compostable, environmentally friendly alternatives as part of the Western Australian Government’s Plan for Plastics.

The latest bans came into effect 1 September, joining items already banned under the plan, including plastic takeaway coffee cups, microbeads, polystyrene cups, cotton buds with plastic stems, and loose-fill polystyrene packaging.

It’s expected a ban on single-use plastic takeaway food container lids and loose produce bags will save up to an additional 226 million single-use plastics from landfill and litter every year.

Households with access to the three-bin food organics green organics (FOGO) system may also compost compliant produce bags, including using them as a kitchen caddy liner.

Businesses have been given transition periods to work through the changes with the Western Australian Government taking a common-sense, education-focused approach to enforcement.

The National Retail Association and the Boomerang Alliance will continue to support businesses throughout the transition, while also supporting businesses and local governments to adapt through the WA Plastic Free Places program and the Plastic Ban Solution Finder tool.

That tool, provided by the Boomerang Alliance, allows businesses to search for products on the market that are compliant with Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics.

Reece Whitby, Environment Minister, said Western Australia leads the nation when it comes to phasing out single-use plastics.

“So many of us have swapped out disposable shopping bags and coffee cups for environmentally friendly alternatives, and I see no reason why we won’t do the same with produce bags and takeaway food containers,” he said.

“Our state has a proud history of reducing plastic waste, and I have confidence the community will welcome this latest step.”

For more information, https://plasticsbanwa.com.au/