Single-use plastic straws, plates to be banned

Banning single-use plastics starting with straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates has moved closer with legislation before the Queensland Parliament. Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Minister Leeanne Enoch said the government was committed to reducing the destructive impact of plastic waste on our waterways, marine life and environment.

“First our government banned single-use plastic bags, then we introduced the highly successful Containers for Change program, and now we have taken the next step in our war on plastic waste by introducing this Bill,” Ms Enoch said.

As well as banning the supply and sale of single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates, the Bill will also provide a means for more single-use plastic such as coffee cups, polystyrene cups, takeaway food containers and heavyweight plastic bags to be banned in the future, after public consultation. Items such as single-use plastic straws that are part of juice box packaging will not be banned at this time, so the government can work with packaging and product manufacturers to develop more sustainable options.