Single Use Plastic Ban from 1 November 2022

Council is alerting local businesses that the next stage of the NSW Government single use plastic ban will come into place from 1 November 2022, impacting our local businesses and suppliers. 

This next stage of the NSW plastic ban will see a ban placed on single-use plastic straws, stirrers, swizzle sticks, cutlery, chopsticks, food picks, plastic bowls, plates, expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service items (clamshells, cups plates and bowls), single-use plastic cotton buds and certain rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads. This includes any items made from biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics, or bio-plastics. 

Exemptions for single-use plastic straws are given to people with a disability or medical need. Businesses who serve food or drinks must keep all single-use plastic straws hidden from public view.   

“This change is an initiative from the NSW Government and will impact our local businesses, organisations and consumers greatly,” said Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Ambrose Doolan. “Let’s help our businesses with the transition from 1 November 2022.”

The bans do not apply to barrier bags such as:
• Serving utensils, eg salad servers or tongs
• Items that are used to seal or contain food or beverages or are included or attached to the packaging through a machine automated process
• Single-use plastic bowls designed or intended to have a spill-proof lid
• EPS fresh produce trays used for raw meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables
• EPS packaging, including consumer and business-to-business packaging and transport containers.

If you still have banned single-use plastic items at home when the bans come into effect they can still be used for personal use but cannot be supplied to a business or organisation such as a sporting club or community club.

The NSW Environment and Protection Authority (EPA) is the regulator and will monitor and enforce the bans. Fines if caught supplying a banned item are $55,000.00 for a corporation and $11,000.00 for an individual.

“This State Government initiative will be rolled out across the entire state of NSW, and it’s important for everyone to cooperate with the changes,” Cr Doolan concluded. 

The NSW Government and the National Retail Association is delivering a range of resources to help businesses and organisations to implement the legislation and there is a toll-free hotline on 1800 844 946 or email sustainability@nra.net.au 

For more information visit Planet Ark Website
 

Click here to download media release

Plastic Ban Photo November 1

Last Updated: 26 Oct 2022