Everything you need to know as single-use plastics ban starts today

A range of plastic and polystyrene products are no longer permitted to be sold in Queensland as single-use waste is targeted. Here’s everything you need to know.

Queensland businesses will be banned from selling a range of plastic and polystyrene products from today, under new laws aimed at stamping out single-use products.

The move is expected to slash the amount of single-use-plastic pollution by a massive 20 per cent over the next two years, with businesses flouting the rules to face penalties.

Plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates and unenclosed bowls will all fall under the ban, as will takeaway containers and cups made from expanded polystyrene.

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said her department would take an “engagement and education-first approach” during the first month of the ban for those businesses that had difficulty accessing alternative supplies due to the pandemic.

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon

But from the end of the month, the department is set to review its approach – with the laws leaving businesses liable to fines of over $6000 if they are caught selling or distributing the prohibited items.

“In partnership with the National Retail Association, we’ve already engaged with more than 5000 businesses over the past three months, helping small to large retailers to prepare for the ban,” Ms Scanlon said.

“There will be exemptions to ensure that Queenslanders with disability or healthcare needs can continue to access and use items necessary for them.”

The Minister said three-quarters of waste removed from beaches was made from plastic.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

Plastic straws will be outlawed under the ban. Picture: iStock

National Retail Association chief executive Dominique Lamb said the NRA had visited more than 310 centres and shopping strips across the state to provide resources and advice to businesses about the ban.

“Even though many retailers have been doing it tough during the pandemic, the response has been overwhelmingly positive with retailers keen to do their bit for the environment,” she said.

“With the ban arriving soon, we encourage consumers to support these businesses by bringing reusable utensils when possible, or just being prepared that the options we provide are a little different now.”

Originally published as Everything you need to know as single-use plastics ban starts today