NSW plastic ban will divert 2.7 billion plastic items from oceans but balloons still need to be banned

November 1, 2022

From today, plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, unlidded plates and bowls, expanded polystyrene food service items, plastic cotton bud sticks, and microbeads in cosmetics will be banned in NSW. Lightweight plastic shopping bags have been banned in the state since 1^st June this year.

Under the new laws, on-the-spot fines can be issued of up to $1100 for individual businesses and $5500 for corporations who continue to supply banned plastic items.

However, the government chose not to act on balloons leaving NSW and the ACT as the only jurisdictions with laws that explicitly allow the reckless practice of releasing balloons into the sky.

Australian Marine Conservation Society notes that today’s ban on single-use plastics turns New South Wales “from a laggard to a leader in the fight against ocean plastics.”

According to government figures, plastics such as shopping bags, disposable cutlery and straws are some of the most commonly found plastics along our coasts and in our oceans. Today’s ban is projected to stop up to 2.7 billion plastic items from entering our natural environment over the next 20 years.

AMCS plastics campaign manager Shane Cucow highlights “this plastics ban is a huge win for our dolphins, whales and seabirds, and all Australians who love our oceans.

“As the state with the largest plastic footprint, NSW is pivotal to ending ocean plastic pollution.

“We thank the government for listening to ocean lovers, who have been demanding action to clean up plastic pollution and restore our beautiful marine environment.”

Cucow said it was important the laws were soon expanded to include other lethal plastics, expressing disappointment that the government chose not to act on balloons.

“Balloons are the biggest plastic killer of seabirds, 32 times more likely to kill birds than hard plastic waste. It’s time to end this dangerous practice once and for all.”

When the laws were passed, an amendment to ban balloon releases was moved by the Animal Justice Party and supported by Labor and the Greens, but it failed by one vote with the government opposed.

The laws also exclude plastic cups and thicker plastic bags, which are banned in Western Australia.

Single-use plastics are now banned in more than half of Australia’s states and territories, with South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland laws commencing in 2021, and Western Australia banning single-use plastics earlier this year. Victoria’s ban is due to commence in February 2023.

Tasmania is the only Australian state without an explicit roadmap for banning single-use plastics.

At a meeting of environment ministers last month, Australia’s environment ministers committed to work towards nationally consistent definitions of single-use plastics and reform of Australia’s packaging laws by 2025.

24th October 2022 - Diving against debris ahead of NSW plastic ban

23rd October 2022 - Australian Retailers Association concerned by missed opportunity to establish national framework for single-use plastics

8th October 2022 - Seabin Foundation launches world-first microplastics lab at Australian National Maritime Museum

1st October 2022 - Single-use plastic cups for cold drinks banned in Western Australia from today

23rd September 2022 - NSW Government launches confronting new campaign ahead of plastic ban

9th September 2022 - European Commission move to restrict microplastic use set to impact infill used in synthetic turf systems

25th August 2022 - Darwin’s hospitality venues and vendors join Plastic Free NT program

29th July 2022 - Looking to reduce plastic cup waste Adelaide Oval will now serve alcohol in cans

1st July 2022 - Conservationists welcome Australian Government’s commitment to addressing plastic pollution

16th May 2022 - Belgravia Leisure explains move away from single-use plastics

22nd March 2022 - Federal Government invests $60 million in recycling - but is it enough to stem the tide of plastic pollution?

3rd March 2022 - AMCS considers UN agreement as vital for tackling plastic pollution in Australia’s wildest places

22nd February 2022 - 40,000 businesses across NSW to receive extra help in transitioning away from single-use plastics

14th June 2021 - NSW and Western Australian Governments announce new plastic bans

1st April 2021 - Legislation passed for phasing out single-use plastics in ACT

9th December 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society highlights new Federal laws banning plastic waste won’t save wildlife

14th August 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society claims ACT Government is delaying comprehensive single use plastic legislation

3rd February 2020 - ACT takes action to phase out single-use plastic products

30th December 2019 - National plastics summit set to address Australia’s growing waste problem

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