As part of Queensland’s plan to tackle plastic pollution, the Queensland Government has introduced a ban on the supply of the following single-use plastic items:
- straws: regular straws, flexible straws, straws with a scoop, cocktail straws and bubble tea straws
- cutlery: knives, forks, spoons, teaspoons, sample tasting spoons, soup spoons, chopsticks, splayds and sporks
- bowls and plates
- stirrers: hot or cold drink stirrers, swizzle sticks and hot or cold food stirrers
- expanded polystyrene takeaway food containers and cups, for example ‘clamshell’ style containers.
These items are generally unable to be recovered for recycling and can end up contaminating recycling streams which results in more waste being disposed of in landfill.
The ban, which will start on 1 September 2021, aims to reduce plastic waste. It also encourages sustainable choices, including the avoidance and use of reusable or recyclable alternatives.
Some businesses are exempt from the ban and may continue to provide the banned items to ensure people with disability or health needs can still access the items they need. Exempt businesses include hospitals, medical and dental clinics, pharmacies and schools.
Many businesses and households across the state have already phased out many of these single-use plastic items. Let’s keep building on this great work together.
