Victoria the latest Australian state to ban single-use plastics from today

Another Aussie state has banned single-use plastics, with residents and businesses facing big fines if caught using these items.

Victorians will no longer be able to purchase single-use plastics, with the state government’s ban on the items coming into effect today.

Under the new rule, disposable plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, cotton bud sticks and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers are prohibited from being sold or supplied in the state.

It comes four years after the state banned plastic shopping bags with the goal of diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.

A number of single-use plastic items will be banned in Victoria from today. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Josie Hayden

State Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt says the ban will help create a cleaner and healthier environment for Victoria.

“Plastic pollution has significant impacts on our health, wildlife, and the environment,” she said.

“This single-use plastics ban is a crucial step to protect Victoria’s rivers, waterways and oceans from plastic pollution.”

Victorians will be able to purchase reusable alternatives of these products which have been available for some time at supermarkets, restaurants and food retailers.

The state government said thousands of new jobs in recycling and manufacturing have also been created under the reforms which follows last year’s one million dollar investment into new technology that turns hard-to-recycle materials into sustainable building products.

“Single-use plastics make up a third of pollution found in the environment in our state. They are used for a few minutes but can stay in waterways and parks for decades,” Premier Daniel Andrews tweeted.

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The Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt announcing single-use plastics ban. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Josie Hayden

Victoria’s single-use plastic ban isn’t the first to occur across the country, with the state joining NSW and the ACT in completely prohibiting the supply of the most common superfluous plastic products.

Meanwhile, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland have implemented a ban on selected plastic products, with more rules to come into effect on remaining items over the coming months.

The Northern Territory government has committed to similar bans which will come into effect from 2025 while Tasmania is yet to make any single-use plastic ban commitments.

Businesses can be fined up to $1849 if caught supplying banned single-use plastics in Victoria, while individuals face a penalty of $370.

However, people who require single-use plastic drink straws for health reasons or because of a disability can still purchase or ask for these items when needed.

Microbeads, heavyweight plastic bags, fruit and vegetable bags, plastic cups and lids, coffee cups containing plastic, plastic takeaway containers and helium balloons are yet to be included in the ban and can still be used.

Originally published as Victoria the latest Australian state to ban single-use plastics from today