QLD plastic ban could see polystyrene coffee cups binned
As the Queensland Government moves to ban plastics straws and plates, regional councils have called for the restrictions to be widened to include polystyrene coffee cups and takeaway containers. DO YOU AGREE?
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POLYSTYRENE coffee cups would possibly be outlawed in Queensland under a push from local government to widen a proposed plastics ban.
The Local Government Association of Queensland has urged a parliamentary committee to consider slapping a ban on expanded polystyrene items, including takeaway containers and coffee cups.
It comes as the Palaszczuk Government moves to make it illegal to sell a range of single use plastics, including straws, plates, throwaway cutlery and stirrers.
In a submission to the parliamentary committee looking at the proposed plastics ban, the LGAQ claimed there was strong community and stakeholder support to also include polystyrenes.
They said the move would align Queensland with the “directions underway” in several other states, including South Australia and the ACT.
“EPS (expanded polystyrene) items are a particularly problematic litter as they fragment easily and do not decompose,” the LGAQ submission said.
“Alternative packaging options are available with minimal increases to production costs.”
LGAQ chief executive Greg Hallam backed in their push, pointing to the significant impact polystyrenes had on landfill – and said people were open to change.
“We should be able to eliminate them,” he said.
“We’ve replaced so many things in recent years. Yes, coffee is a staple, but there are other things that we have been able to change that we didn’t think we ever could.
“We’re a throwaway society and we don’t think through the consequences of what the end effect of using those current materials is.”
In its submission, the National Retail Association said it supported a ban on single-use plastic straws, stirrers, plates, bowls and cutlery, but pointed out that alternatives would incur a “higher cost”.
They said it was unacceptable to expect retail businesses to carry the increased cost burden and warned it would be passed onto consumers by hiking the price of goods.
“It is well-known that alternatives to single-use plastics such as paper, bamboo or wood options are more expensive,” their submission said.
“For example, a carton of 5000 plastic straws is approximately $10-15 wholesale, whereas 5000 paper straws can cost $100-140.
“In addition, there are only a handful of suppliers offering bulk sustainable options in Australia, meaning choices are limited and prices are less competitive.”
The NRA also voiced support for expanded polystyrene foodware and oxo-degradable plastics to be included in the ban, describing them as “problematic and damaging to the environment”.
The government has previously flagged that consultation will be carried out later this year about extending the ban to coffee cups, polystyrene and other plastic cups as well as heavyweight plastic bags.
Originally published as QLD plastic ban could see polystyrene coffee cups binned