From 1 June 2022 the NSW Government has banned the supply of lightweight plastic bags.
Lightweight plastic bags that are 35 microns or less with handles will be banned. The ban does not apply to:
barrier bags such as bin liners, human or animal waste bags
produce bags and deli bags
bags used to contain medical items (not including retail carry-bags).
From 1 November certain single-use food service items will also be banned. Single-use plastics straws, stirrers and cutlery
The ban applies to single-use plastic straws*, stirrers and swizzle sticks, and cutlery, including forks, spoons, knives, sporks, splayds, chopsticks, and food picks.
The ban applies even if these items are made from biodegradable, compostable, or bio-plastics. This includes those made from Australian certified compostable plastic.
The ban does not apply to:
serving utensils such as salad servers or tongs
items that are an integrated part of the packaging used to seal or contain food or beverages, or are included within or attached to that packaging, through an automated process (such as a straw attached to a juice box).
*Exemptions will apply in certain settings for people with a disability or medical need so they can continue using straws.
The detail of the exemption will be developed in consultation with the disability sector and other impacted stakeholders.
Single-use plastic bowls and plates
The ban applies even if these items are made from biodegradable, compostable, or bio-plastics. This includes those made from Australian certified compostable plastic.
The ban does not apply to:
single-use plastic bowls designed or intended to have a spill-proof lid, such as those used for a takeaway soup.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service items
The ban applies to EPS takeaway food service items, such as clamshells, cups, plates and bowls.
The ban does not apply to EPS:
meat or produce trays
packaging, including consumer and business-to-business packaging and transport containers
food service items that are an integrated part of the packaging used to seal or contain food or beverages, or are including within or attached to that packaging, through an automated process (such as an EPS noodle cup).
Single-use plastic cotton buds and microbeads in certain personal care products
The ban applies to single-use plastic cotton buds and rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads, such as face and body cleansers, exfoliants and masks, shampoo, conditioner and hair dyes, and toothpaste.
If you are concerned about microbeads in products, look for the following commonly used ingredients:
polyethylene (PE)
polypropylene (PP)
polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
nylon (PA).
Who does the ban apply to?
A person must not supply a prohibited item in NSW while carrying on a business.
This includes supplying the item while:
carrying on an activity for commercial purposes. For example:
retail businesses like a restaurant, cafe, bar, takeaway food shop, party supply store, discount store, supermarket, market stall, online store, and packaging supplier and distributor, and any other retailer that provides these items to consumers.
a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or wholesaler of a prohibited item
carrying on an activity for charitable, sporting, education or community purposes. For example, a community group, not-for-profit organisation or charity, including those that use a banned item as part of a service, for daily activities or during fundraising events.
For more information head to
https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/environment-energy-and-science/plastics-action-plan/phasing-out-single-use-plastics-in-nsw
