Victoria’s single-use plastic ban begins from February 1

The latest phase of the Andrews government’s crackdown on single-use plastics comes into force in Victoria today.

Bans on single-use plastic straws, cutlery, plate and cotton buds comes into force across Victoria from today.

From February 1, all single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, cotton bud sticks and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers are banned from sale and supply in Victoria.

There are five exemptions to the ban where items are required for health and safety reasons or where alternatives to a sub-set of banned items are currently not available.

The move is the next phase of the state government’s ban on single-use plastics and builds on a plastic shopping bag ban introduced in 2019.

Environment minister Ingrid Stitt said the reforms had created thousands of new jobs in recycling and manufacturing and increased recycling capacity.

They run alongside a $515m investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling system and divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.

“We are taking action to protect Victoria’s environment and reduce pollution by banning single-use plastic items and supporting businesses to switch to reusables instead,” she said.

“Plastic pollution has significant impacts on our health, wildlife, and the environment. This single-use plastics ban is a crucial step to protect Victoria’s rivers, waterways and oceans from plastic pollution.”

Ms Stitt said single-use plastics made up a third of Victoria’s litter.