The State’s leader in the move towards a green economy has announced it is taking the next steps in the battle to replace dangerous plastic waste from the struggling environment.
Green Industries SA said that in keeping with South Australia’s public who want to see single-use plastic product gone, it has taken steps to establish a phased and manageable move away from the single-use plastics over the next three years.
According to Green Industries SA, the move will enable all South Australians to replace waste by avoiding single-use plastics and adopting ‘clean and green’ alternatives.
It said that from September 2023 plastic stemmed cotton buds are to be phased out to align with other Australian States and Territories.
It said the only exemptions would be plastic items required for medical, veterinary, and other scientific purposes.
“Single-use plastic bowls and plates will be phased out,” it said
It said that from September 2024, plastic produce bags, including thick supermarket or boutique-style plastic bags will be phased out as will plastic confetti which causes preventable damage to the environment.
“Plastic balloon sticks/ties will also be phased out,” it said.
It said expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates and clamshell containers have been prohibited in South Australia from 1 March 2022 with other expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food and beverage containers (like certain ice cream tubs) also to be removed to complete the approach intended for this type of plastic.
From September 2025 plastic fruit stickers, plastic soy sauce fish, and pre-packaged products that have attached plastic straws or cutlery are to be phased out.
Green Industries SA said the delay is because industry needs time to design new, more sustainable product formats and implement alternative solutions.
Further information about the green alternatives to plastic can be accessed at this PS News link.
