No fines despite breaches of landmark Qld rule

Not a single Queensland business has been slapped with a fine for breaching a highly celebrated ban more than two years after the state government put the move in place.

Not a single Queensland business has been slapped with a fine for breaching the state’s highly celebrated single-use plastics ban more than two years after the state government outlawed the material.

The Environment Department has worked with the retail industry body to carry out thousands of spot-checks across the sector and investigated public reports of businesses failing to comply with the rules.

And despite conceding not all Queensland businesses had followed the rules, the department repeated its insistence it had adopted an awareness and education-first approach.

A spokesman said the community and businesses have “embraced the ban” since its introduction in 2021 as it worked with the National Retail Association to support the industry in the transition period.

“They (the NRA) have visited more than 6000 retailers since 2021 and found most were fully compliant,” the department spokesman said.

“They have provided businesses with educational resources and advice to help manage existing stocks.”

Under the laws, businesses can be fined up to $6000 for supplying single-use plastic straws, stirrers, bowls, cutlery and polystyrene takeaway containers.

Single-use plastics are banned in Queensland but not everyone is complying with the law. Picture: NCW NewsWire / Dan Peled

The plastic ban was expanded in September to include the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons, cotton buds with plastic stems, and expanded polystyrene loose packaging.

In the more than two years since the ban was introduced, the NRA has investigated nearly 170 public reports of possible noncompliance but the department insisted the priority was “supporting businesses to become compliant”.

“The NRA will continue spot-checks on thousands of businesses throughout 2024,” the spokesman said.

“The Queensland government is committed to removing plastic waste from our environment.

“That’s why we released a five-year road map for action on single-use plastic items, outlining proposed bans and other collaborative initiatives on further single use plastic products.”

Environment Minister Leanne Linard stood by the strategy from the department, saying the government makes “no apology” for the education-first approach.

“Retailers told us they supported the phase-out of single use plastics but needed time and support to transition to more sustainable alternatives while minimising business impact,” she said.

“We have partnered with the National Retailers Association to try to make the transition as smooth as possible.

“Spot checks undertaken by the NRA have found the vast majority of businesses are doing the right thing.

“Where issues were discovered, we have worked through solutions with the businesses concerned and achieved compliance without heavy-handed intervention.”

Ms Linard said the Miles government, which is expected to be more proactive on environmental issues than under former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, was committed to removing plastic waste in the community.

“Plastic pollution is a growing problem, impacting the health of our communities, our environment and wildlife,” she said.