The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has announced that a ban on the sale or supply of single-use plastic cold beverage cups is now in place.
The move completes the first stage of Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics.
In a statement, the Department said the ban would save 430 million single-use plastics from landfill or litter in the State each year, with cold cups accounting for more than 40 per cent.
“Nine items have been phased out as part of WA’s Plan for Plastics first stage since July, including plates, cutlery, drink stirrers, drinking straws, thick plastic bags, expanded polystyrene food containers, helium balloon releases and unlidded containers,” the Department said.
“The Stage One bans are estimated to eliminate large amounts of single-use plastics every year, including 300 million plastic straws, 50 million pieces of plastic cutlery and more than 110 million thick plastic shopping bags.”
It said the State-wide ban coincided with McDonald’s replacing approximately 17.5 million plastic cold beverage cups and lids in its McCafés across the State.
“The State Government is urging businesses to make the switch, and will continue to use a commonsense, education-first approach to enforcing the ban,” the Department said.
“Single-use plastic takeaway coffee cups, among other plastic products, will be targeted in the next stage, which will be introduced from February 2023. Disposable options will also still exist, with certified compostable cups and lids excluded from the ban and already widely used by businesses.”
Minister for the Environment, Reece Whitby said it was great to see Western Australians embrace the first stage of the Plan for Plastics, and many businesses had already completed the transition.
“This is another positive step in reducing our impact on the environment, which has the public’s overwhelming support,” Mr Whitby said.
He said transition timeframes for Stage 2 banned products, including single-use plastic coffee cups, would be determined through consultation.
To join in the consultation, visit the State’s Plan for Plastics at this PS News link and have a say before 18 November.
