Lollipop sticks, cigarette butts and bread tags: What’s the next plastic to be banned?

Lollipop sticks, cigarette butts, bread tags and heavyweight plastic shopping bags could all be redesigned or phased out as the NSW government looks to meet its recycling targets.

The government is seeking feedback from industry and the public about how best to prevent 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste produced in the state each year from causing harm to the environment and human health.

The NSW government is seeking feedback about how best to recycle, including what items may be phased out or banned.Credit: SMH

NSW recycles just 12 per cent of its waste and aims for a 30 per cent reduction in plastic litter by 2025.

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said there may be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans by 2050. “Plastic has become so widespread that we are constantly eating, drinking and breathing it in,” she said.

“We must act. By working together, we can make a real difference and leave the environment in a better state for our children.

“The NSW government wants to hear your thoughts on what plastic items we should target to minimise harmful impacts on the NSW environment, animals and communities.”

WWF Australia said the announcement put NSW in fifth place on its plastic scorecard, which rates the performance of states and territories in tackling single-use plastics.

Western Australia is in the top spot on the scorecard, largely because of its ban on single-use plastic bowls, plates and cutlery, coffee cups and lids, straws and takeaway food containers. South Australia, Queensland and the ACT all placed ahead of NSW.

But WWF said if NSW’s public consultation led to a commitment to ban other items, the state could jump to second place next year.

Victoria, Northern Territory and Tasmania ranked the lowest.

WWF-Australia’s No Plastic in Nature policy manager Kate Noble said that given that NSW was Australia’s most populated state, its actions on plastic mattered the most.

“It is great to see NSW considering action on so many unnecessary and problematic plastics,” she said.

“In just five years we’ve seen a huge shift across Australia on single-use plastics and a lot of that is due to the efforts of individuals, communities, schools and businesses. They’ve called on governments to take action and our politicians have listened.

“This is a big win for people and nature, including seabirds and marine mammals who will encounter less deadly plastic in their environments.”

But she added there was a long way to go.

Australians use a lot of plastic, generating more single-use plastic waste per person than any other country except Singapore. Each year, every person in Australia (on average) uses 45 plastic produce bags, 50 plastic straws, about 70 plastic cups for hot liquid and 35 for cold, according to a 2021 report commissioned by the Australian government.

These single-use plastics make up about a third of the litter on the street.

NSW government consultation will be open from Sunday for the next 14 weeks.

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