Queensland gets top marks for plan to ban single-use plastics

The Sunshine State is leading the way when it comes to phasing out one of Australia’s biggest environmental problems.

Queensland is leading the way when it comes to phasing out single-use plastics.

WWF-Australia has issued a scorecard rating Australian states and territories by their ability to tackle the plastic problem, and Queensland has taken out top spot for the state government’s introduction of legislation to ban single-use plastics.

If passed, the single-use plastic bill will ban the sale of plastic cutlery, straws and single-use plastic plates from July 2021.

Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Minister Leeanne Enoch said the Government was committed to reducing the destructive impact of plastic waste on state waterways.

“In March this year, we asked Queenslanders to decide the future of single-use plastic items,” Ms Enoch said.

WWF-Australia's single-use plastics scorecard. Picture: WWF

How the states and territories stack up when it comes to single-use plastics. Picture: WWF

“Almost 20,000 responses were received, with 94 per cent of submissions in favour of a ban.”

Single-use plastic straws that are part of juice-box packaging are exempt from the ban for the time being until the State Government has a chance to consult with packaging and product manufacturers.

The State Government is also planning tougher controls on takeaway coffee cups and heavyweight plastic shopping bags.

Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory tied for last place on the scorecard due to lack of action on phasing out some of the most littered single-use plastic items.

WWF-Australia’s No Plastics in Nature policy manager Katinka Day said the plastics scorecard was designed to spark discussion and encourage government leadership.

“It’s wonderful to see the Sunshine State leading the way,” she said.

“Plastic items like straws, plates and utensils are often discarded after a single use, ending up in landfill or our oceans for hundreds of years.”