Casey Council to ban single-use plastic items

One Melbourne council has taken a head start in phasing out single-use plastic items ahead of the deadline set by the state government.

All Victorian councils will be required to ban single-use plastic items from February 1, with exceptions made for people with medical needs. Some councils are ahead of the pack and have already begun phasing out the litter inducing items. Image: supplied.

A council in Melbourne’s southeast is the latest to make the move to ban single-use plastic items as the state government deadline looms closer.

The City of Casey will join a number of other Victorian councils which have already banned single-use plastic items before the February 1 deadline.

The state government ban covers all ‘problematic’ single-use plastics, including plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers and cotton bud sticks made from conventional degradable and compostable plastics.

The ban also includes food services items and drink containers made from polystyrene.

Single-use plastics make up one third of the litter in the Victorian environment, and is difficult and costly for councils to clean up.

The ban does not apply to people who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to disability or for a medical need. People with those exemptions will still be able to purchase and use single-use items.

Businesses in Casey have already begun phasing out some single-use plastic items such as straws and cutlery.

The council has also encouraged residents to BYO coffee cups, cutlery and containers when they’re on the go to help reduce waste.

“Single-use items pollute the environment and can harm wildlife,” a council spokesperson said.

“They are on average only used for 15 minutes, but remain in the environment for a long time.”

To help residents adjust to the ban, the council has provided a free fact sheet and guide with alternatives for all single-use plastic items.

Councils with single-use plastic bans already in place include the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Darebin City Council, the Glen Eira City Council, Maribyrnong City Council, the City of Stonnington Council and the City of Yarra Council.

Some councils, such as Kingston City Council and Latrobe City Council, began phasing out single-use plastic items, including water bottles and containers, well before the February deadline.

While not every council has introduced a full single-use plastic ban, some have opted to encourage residents to practice using less single-use plastic, with events such as Plastic Free July, run in 2022 by the Bayside City Council and the Manningham City Council, as well as Waste Reduction Workshops held by Cardinia Shire Council.

Many Victorian councils are holding information sessions regarding the single-use plastic ban coming into effect next month. Head to your council’s website to find out more.

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