Single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery banned in SA from early 2021

A ban on some single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery comes into force in SA next year – but there are already other items to be banned in 2022.

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Polystyrene cups, bowls, plates and clamshell containers are next on the State Government’s hit list to make South Australia a world leader in banning single-use plastics.

Environment Minister David Spiers said these products and all with oxo-degradable plastic – microplastics that are then released into the environment and can cause significant harm, especially to ocean life – would be banned in 2022.

Once, those changes are implemented Mr Spiers said the government had vowed to look at takeaway coffee cups, plastic bags and other takeaway food service items next.

The Greens welcomed the passage of new single-use plastic laws, which passed state parliament on Wednesday afternoon, but have warned it was too little too late.

Greens MLC Mark Parnell said it was disappointing both Liberal and Labor MPs refused to support his party’s amendment to ban the deliberate outdoors release of helium-filled balloons.

“This is a national and international campaign that has enormous support,” Mr Parnell said.

“Mass balloon releases are already banned in many other places in Australia and overseas. “Fortunately, most event organisers are slowly becoming more enlightened about the environmental harm of balloon release, but legislating a ban was an easy win that would have been very much welcomed by the community.”

Mr Parnell told The Advertiser his proposed ban was not about the use of balloons indoors.

SA Conservation Council chief executive Craig Wilkins agreed helium balloons should be a priority.

Mr Wilkins said “lighter-than-air balloons” and balloon sticks should be banned with a priority placed on the release of balloons.

He said lightweight disposable plastic plates, coffee cup lids and excessive plastic packaging like those often used for fruit and vegetable wrapping in supermarkets should be high priorities.

Mr Speirs has downplayed concerns about helium balloons arguing if people let go of helium balloons it is illegal under the Littering Nuisance Act.

Mr Parnell argued it was difficult to prosecute people.

The ban will see plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery outlawed from early next year.

SA became the first state to outlaw single-use items that damage the environment.

State parliament on Wednesday passed new laws to deliver the historic change, with bipartisan backing.

The government says it builds on a long record of environmental leadership.

Other single-use items, such as coffee cups, could eventually be added to the list, with powers kept in reserve for the minister of the day to increase the list of banned products.

The precise start date on the ban has yet to be determined, but the government says it will occur early next year.

That delay has been put in place to allow businesses already hit by the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic the time needed to adapt to the transition.

Mr Speirs said there was strong community support to take action on single-use plastics.

The plan had been shaped with industry feedback.

“SA has always led the nation and the world when it comes to making important decisions to protect our environment,” he said.

“We were the first state in Australia to introduce deposits on containers, the first state in Australia to ban lightweight plastic bags and we’re now the first state to pass legislation banning single-use plastics.”

During consultation, the Government developed a taskforce featuring 15 different organisations that also included people living with a disability.

Opposition environment spokeswoman Susan Close said: “Labor welcomes this step towards eliminating single-use plastics and looks forward to the government reporting back on how well the changes have been communicated and enforced”.