REGULATIONS TO BAN ADDITIONAL PLASTIC PRODUCTS IN SA

South Australia is committed to phasing out additional single-use and other plastic products over a 3-year period.

The first stage of these bans commenced on 1 September 2023, and included plastic pizza savers, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, single-use plastic bowls without lids for food and beverages, and single-use plastic plates for food.

The second stage of these bans, to commence on 1 September 2024, will include:

• thick plastic/boutique plastic shopping bags and plastic-laminated paper shopping bags
• plastic barrier bags for perishable goods
• plastic bread tags
• single-use plastic hot and cold beverage cups and single-use plastic lids
• single-use plastic food containers, including bowls with lids
• expanded polystyrene (EPS) trays
• other EP) food and beverage containers
• plastic confetti
• plastic balloon sticks and ties.

And the third stage of these bans, to commence on 1 September 2025, include:

• plastic produce stickers
• plastic soy sauce fish
• attached straws and cutlery
• pre-packaged EPS containers (such as noodles).

To put the remaining bans in place, a variation to the regulations under section 6(1)(h) of the Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 is required.

We invite you to provide feedback on the draft regulations, with the view to identify any specific issues not addressed, and any potential unintended consequences.

You are also requested to provide feedback on whether businesses will be able to meet the requirements for AS certified food and beverage containers, and their lids to be clearly marked with their certification details by 1 September 2024, and if not, provide an explanation for consideration.

The consultation is open from 18 December 2023 to 11 February 2024.

Please visit the YourSAy site to read the current legislation, the draft regulations and explanatory guidelines.

You may provide your feedback by:

• completing the survey on the YourSAy site
• emailing a written submission to GISA.sup@sa.gov.au
• posting a written submission to:
  Single-use Plastic Regulations Consultation
  Green Industries SA
  GPO Box 1047
  ADELAIDE SA 5001

To learn more about the bans already in place, and available alternatives, visit the Replace the Waste website.

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