South Australia's ban on single-use plastics to start in March following coronavirus delay

South Australia's ban on single-use plastics, the first of its kind in Australia, will kick in from March next year.

Single-use plastic straws are on the way out in South Australia.

Single-use plastic straws are on the way out in South Australia. Source: AP

South Australia's ban on single-use plastics, such as straws and cutlery, will come into force from March next year.

The measures, the first of their kind in Australia, were passed in parliament in September but were put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They have also been designed to allow more items to be progressively added to the banned list, with the government targeting polystyrene cups, bowls and plates to go by early 2022.

Fines could be imposed on businesses that don't comply with the new rules but Environment Minister David Speirs said he didn't think they would be necessary.

"I don't expect that to be the case because I think first and foremost, consumers are driving this and businesses by their very nature need to respond to consumers," the minister said.
"They need to respond to the market in order to grow their consumer base and make a profit by jumping on board, and making this transition, a transition that many businesses have already gone through."

Mr Speirs said the wider community was fully supportive of the new measures and were "hungry for change".

"There has been an overwhelming call from the community for urgent action on single-use plastic products," he said.

"Single-use plastic products are designed to be used a limited number of times, often away from home, and thrown away, usually resulting in litter, waste and harm to wildlife, including marine life."

The minister said other states were moving in the same direction with Queensland already debating similar laws.

"We need the bigger states to jump on board to make a real environmental impact," Mr Speirs said.


Share
Published 23 December 2020 4:51pm
Updated 23 December 2020 5:47pm
Source: AAP, SBS


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world