Single-use plastics banned in South Australia from March 2021

Businesses will be given three months to remove plastic cutlery and straws from their shelves in an Australian-first single-use plastic ban.

Single-use plastics such as cutlery and straws will be banned in South Australia from March under strict new rules.

The State Government will run an awareness campaign over the next three months to make sure businesses comply with the rules from March 1.

The announcement follows the parliament committing to the plastic ban – the first of its kind in the country – in September.

While the ban will first target cutlery, straws and drinker stirrers, Environment Minister David Speirs said the “ambitious” policy would be expanded in 2022 to include takeaway containers such as polystyrene.

Businesses that continue to provide plastic cutlery after March 1 could be fined for breaching the new law.

Environment Minister David Speirs announces the plastic ban. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Exemptions will apply for people who need plastic straws for medical reasons.

Mr Speirs said the fine had not yet been set but it would likely be “in the order of a few hundred dollars”.

Mr Speirs said businesses “need to respond to consumers” in phasing out plastic waste.

“We did that because we felt that it was the right thing to do by the environment but also the South Australian public were on board with that,” Mr Speirs said.

“They were pushing for it and, in fact, we probably couldn’t go quick enough for them.”

Mr Spiers said the plastic ban would have happened sooner if not for complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic – and that businesses had been given plenty of notice to comply.

“We’re not setting out to fine businesses,” Mr Speirs said.

“We don’t want to necessarily take a big stick approach but if businesses are not complying to these laws … fines will be available.”

The new rules were created in conjunction with the government’s Single-Use Plastics Taskforce, which included representation from 15 interest groups.

An awareness campaign, called Replace the Waste, launched online on Wednesday.

Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory are now looking at introducing similar legislation.

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