FURTHER INFORMATION & SUPPORT FOR SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BANS 

SUPPORT The following support is available to businesses and community organisations during the transition for each stage of the single-use plastic bans: 1. The Plastic Ban Solution Finder (https://www.bansolutionfinder.org)is an online database that allows businesses to find specific ban compliant alternatives. 2. National Retailers Association - The NRA have been engaged by the WA Government to provide a dedicated business hotline - 1800 817 723.(tel:1800817723) A Guide for business and other resources are available at WA Plastics ban.(https://plasticsbanwa.com.au/contact/) 3. Plastic Free Places (www.plasticfreeplaces.org)- delivered by the Boomerang Alliance, helps retailers and events to find suitable reuse strategies. A variety of Guides (https://www.plasticfreeplaces.org/guides)and Case Studies (https://www.plasticfreeplaces.org/casestudies)are available. https://youtu.be/EysPFAt7mP0?si=49dq3v4ruTZ8vRTs WHAT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS ARE BANNED IN WA? Information for retailers, suppliers and community organisations on what items are banned can be found on the WA Plastics Ban website: https://plasticsbanwa.com.au/items/ The WA Government website also is a resource with a listing of the items, their enforcement dates and factsheets for each banned item in the Plan for Plastics Stage 1 (https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-water-and-environmental-regulation/western-australias-plan-plastics-stage-1)(in effect from 1 January 2022) and Stage 2 (https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-water-and-environmental-regulation/western-australias-plan-plastics-stage-2)(in effect from 27 February 2023). Items banned in Stage 1 • plastic plates, including plates with a plastic lining. • plastic cutlery and drink stirrers, including those made from bioplastic. • plastic drinking straws, including those made from bioplastic. • unlidded plastic cups for cold beverages. Cups that meet Australian composting standards are allowed. • thick plastic shopping bags. • expanded polystyrene (EPS) takeaway food containers. • helium balloon releases. • unlidded plastic bowls and takeaway food containers. Items made from paper/fibre which have a plastic or bioplastic lining or coating, where the whole product is certified compostable to AS standards, are allowed. Items banned in Stage 2 • loose and moulded expanded polystyrene packaging (in effect from 1 September 2023). • cotton buds with plastic stems (in effect from 1 September 2023). • degradable plastics (in effect from 1 September 2023). • microbeads (in effect from 1 September 2023). • expanded polystyrene cups and food trays for raw meat and seafood (in effect from 1 September 2023). • plastic hot cups and lids (in effect from 1 March 2024). Hot cups (not lids) that meet Australian composting standards are allowed. • plastic trays for takeaway food not covered in the Stage 1 ban (in effect from 1 March 2024). Items made from paper/fibre which have a plastic or bioplastic lining or coating, where the whole product is certified compostable to AS standards, are allowed. • plastic lids for cups, trays, bowls, plates and lidded takeaway food containers that are used for takeaway or eat in food and are not pre-packed (in effect from 1 September 2024). Exemptions apply for food containers and their lids only for takeaway food uses when the container is holding soupy or liquid foods that are served over 60 degrees Celsius or intended to be heated over 60C. • plastic or non-compostable produce bags for loose fruit andvegetables (in effect from 1 September 2024). • plastic or non-compostable produce bags for loose/unpackaged meat, seafood, dairy products, nuts and confectionery (in effect from 1 September 2025. Note: from this date, all compostable produce bags must also comply with design standards, which include a minimum opening size of 740mm for bags used for loose fruit and vegetables). • moulded expanded polystyrene packaging (in effect from 1 July 2025).

SUPPORT The following support is available to businesses: 1. The Plastic Ban Solution Finder (https://www.bansolutionfinder.org)is an online database that allows businesses to find specific ban compliant alternatives. 2. The Government of South Australia's Replace the Waste (https://www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au)website has information and a newsletter to keep you up to date on relevant news. 3. Plastic Free Places (www.plasticfreeplaces.org)- delivered by the Boomerang Alliance, helps retailers and events to find suitable reuse strategies. A variety of Guides (https://www.plasticfreeplaces.org/guides)and Case Studies (https://www.plasticfreeplaces.org/casestudies)are available. WHAT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS ARE BANNED IN SA? BANNED MARCH 2021 (https://www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au/banned-items-2021) • Single-use plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers, including bioplastic alternatives. Health and disability exemptions apply. BANNED MARCH 2022 (https://www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au/banned-items-2022) • Expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates and clamshell containers. • Oxo-degradable plastic products. BANNED SEPTEMBER 2023 (https://www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au/banned-items-2023) • Plastic-stemmed cotton buds. Medical, scientific, forensic or law enforcement exemptions apply. • Single-use plastic bowls and plates. Medical, scientific, forensic or law enforcement exemptions apply. • Plastic pizza savers. BANNED SEPTEMBER 2024 (https://www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au/banned-items-2024) • Single-use plastic beverage containers (including coffee cups) and their attachments (such as lids and beverage plugs), with an exemption for Australian Standard (AS) certified compostable hot and cold beverage cups and their lids. There is a temporary exemption until 28th February 2026 for a.) beverage containers that have an application pending decision for AS compostable certification, and/or b). beverage containers and their lids certified to ATSM D6400 (US Standard), EN 13432, TUV OK compost INDUSTRIAL or TUV OK compost HOME. • Single-use plastic food containers, including bowls, cups, containers and trays with lids when used for takeaway food prepared for sale and consumption on the same day, with an exemption for Australian Standard (AS) certified compostable containers and their lids. There is a temporary exemption until 28th February 2026 for a.) food containers that have an application pending decision for AS compostable certification, and/or b). food containers and their lids certified to ATSM D6400 (US Standard), EN 13432, TUV OK compost INDUSTRIAL or TUV OK compost HOME. There is a temporary exemption until 31st August 2029 for single-use plastic transparent square or rectangular food containers with a detachable transparent lid, both of which are made wholly from polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). • Plastic barrier bags which are not Australian Standard (AS) certified compostable, and are used to contain or protect unpackaged fresh fruit or vegetables, nuts or confectionery. • Thick supermarket or boutique-style plastic bags, with an exemption for AS certified compostable shopping bags clearly labelled. • Other expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food and beverage containers not banned in 2022 (e.g. gelato tubs and trays used for meat, fruit and other food items). • Plastic confetti. • Plastic balloon stick/ties. • Food bag tags (e.g. bread tags).

SUPPORT Queensland hospitality businesses are able access one-on-one support with our team to help them eliminate single-use plastic. This is free online consult of up to 1 hour per business. The service is funded by the Queensland Government. Find out more HERE.(https://www.plasticfreeplaces.org/consult) WHAT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS ARE BANNED IN QLD? BANNED 1 September 2023: • Plastic shopping bags which do not meet new requirements: • 35 micrometres or more in thickness • made from a minimum of 80% recycled content verified by a recognised program or certification • durable and big enough to carry 10kgs of weight for at least 125 uses verified by a recognised reusability, durability, or endurance test. • Expanded polystyrene loose-fill packaging • Cotton buds with plastic stems • Plastic microbeads • The release of a lighter-than-air balloon is also banned. BANNED 1 September 2021: • Single-use plastic straws & stirrers • Single-use plastic cutlery • Single-use plastic bowls & plates • Expanded polystyrene takeaway food containers & cups •

WHAT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS ARE BANNED IN NSW? BANNED - 1 June 2022 • lightweight plastic bags with handles, other than a barrier bag, that are 35 microns or less in thickness at any part of the bag. BANNED - 1 November 2022 • single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery (including chopsticks and sporks), plates, bowls (excluding those with spill-proof lids) and cotton buds • expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service ware, including cups • certain rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads. The bans include items made from biodegradable plastic, compostable plastic (including Australian certified compostable plastic) or bioplastics.

WHAT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS ARE BANNED IN VIC? BANNED 1 FEB 2023 These problematic single-use plastics are now banned from sale or supply in Victoria: • Drinking straws • Cutlery • Plates • Drink stirrers • Cotton bud sticks • Expanded polystyrene food service items • Expanded polystyrene drink containers. The ban applies to conventional, degradable and compostable plastics. People who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to disability or medical needs can still purchase and use these items.

WHAT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS ARE BANNED IN ACT? BANNED - 1 January 2024 • heavyweight and boutique plastic bags (greater than 35 microns in thickness). BANNED - 1 July 2023 • single-use plastic plates and bowls • expanded polystyrene loose fill packaging and expanded polystyrene trays • plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care and cleaning products. BANNED - 2021 • single-use plastic cutlery, including bioplastic cutlery • single-use plastic stirrers, including bioplastic stirrers • expanded polystyrene takeaway food and beverage containers • single-use plastic straws, with exemptions for those who need them • cotton buds with plastic sticks • all plastic products made from oxo-degradable plastic • Lightweight plastic bags (less than 35 microns in thickness) are also banned in the ACT.

There is currently no statewide single-use plastic ban in place in Tasmania. The City of Hobart has a by-law in place that bans certain single-use plastic food ware packaging. See HERE f(https://www.hobartcity.com.au/Business/Permits-licences-and-registrations/Food-and-beverage-businesses/Single-use-plastics-by-law-information)or more information. Lightweight checkout-style plastic bags (under 35 microns) were banned on 1 November 2013.

There is currently no single-use plastic ban in place in the Northern Territory. The City of Darwin has phased out single use plastic items (including disposable coffee cups, smoothie cups, lids, straws, cutlery, stirrers, plates, bowls, and takeaway containers) from use on council land from 1 January 2019. Lightweight checkout-style plastic bags (under 35 microns) were banned on 1 September 2011.