Businesses caught selling polystyrene takeaway containers could face $6k fine
After the Palaszczuk Government’s plastics ban legislation was given the green light on Friday, the parliamentary committee that examined the laws wants to go a step further and fine businesses caught or selling polystyrene takeaway containers $6000.
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POLYSTYRENE takeaway food containers would be banned in Queensland under a proposal put forward by a parliamentary committee to be looked at by the Palaszczuk Government.
The committee on Friday gave the green light for the government’s plastics ban legislation to pass the parliament as it called for it to be widened to include a crackdown on expanded polystyrenes (EPS).
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The proposal would mean EPS food containers would be outlawed in the Sunshine State and any business busted selling or distributing the product would cop a fine of more than $6,000 – in line with the plastics ban.
The committee pointed to the “significant environmental damage” caused by EPS takeaway containers, and said alternative packaging was already available for food service providers.
“The committee notes that there is considerable community support to expand the range of banned plastic items and that industry is also supportive of additional inclusions if appropriate and cost effective alternatives are available and supply-chain logistics can be managed,” it said.
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch would not say on Friday if the government would adopt the committee’s recommendations, or when the legislation was expected to pass the parliament.
“I welcome the committee’s unanimous recommendation that the Bill be passed,” she said.
“The government’s response to the committee report will be provided in due course.”
It comes after the state’s councils also called for EPS to be included in the legislation.
Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Greg Hallam yesterday said they would be urging the government to amend the Bill, as he commended the committee’s recommendation.
“Now is the time to act to ensure Queensland remains a leader in this space,” he said.
Under the proposed plastic ban, plastics straws, stirrers, plates and cutlery would be outlawed for sale in Queensland, with businesses caught flouting the rules to be fined over $6,000.
Schools would not be subject to the ban, but the committee recommended the exemption be reviewed within two years, noting “strong stakeholder views” that schools should not be exempt.
The Bill would give the government the flexibility to ban further products in the future following consultation.
The government is yet to say when the ban would come into effect, but a start day of July 1 next has previously been proposed.