Single use plastics ban changes for WA and SA coming in 2024

Single-use problematic plastic (SUPP) restrictions continue, with legislative reforms set to take effect in Western Australia and South Australia in 2024. Some single-use goods will be phased out throughout the nation by the end of this year, so it's important to understand how this may affect your organisation and what alternatives are available.

Single Use Plastics

SUPPs have a negative impact on the environment, which is why all governments and territories are taking steps to phase out harmful single-use packaging. Each state and territory is committing and legislating various sorts of prohibitions with varying periods.

Here's a summary of the confirmed changes to come in 2024. 

Western Australia

As part of WA's Plan for Plastics, the government has already phased out a variety of single-use goods, with prohibitions slated to continue throughout 2024 and into 2025, including the following: 

From March 1, 2024, disposable plastic coffee cups (excluding AS 4736 Commercial Compostable or AS 5810 Home Compostable certified), disposable plastic cup lids (for hot or cold drinks - exempt all-fibre non-plastic lid with no plastic/coating), and disposable plastic or paper lined trays for takeaway or dine-in (excluding AS 4736 Commercial Composting or AS 5810 Home Compositing) will be prohibited.

Starting September 1, 2024, disposable plastic produce bags for fresh unpackaged fruit and vegetables (excluding AS 4736 Commercial Compostable or AS 5810 Home Compostable certified bio-plastics) and disposable plastic bowls, trays, containers, and lids for takeaway or eat-in food (excluding AS 4736 Commercial Compostable or AS 5810 Home Compostable certified and plastic lids / windows for pre-packed takeaway food placed on display) will be prohibited. 

● Beginning July 1, 2025: 

Phase 2 prohibition on moulded or expanded plastic packaging (EPS) for raw meat and fish, including pre-packaged products, introduced in July 2022.

Atpack has you covered – Find available packaging to support WA's upcoming SUPP bans, or download the WA SUPP Guide.

South Australia

Under the Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020, South Australia is drafting legislation to prohibit plastics throughout the state. New legislation will prohibit the use of plastic barrier bags (fruit and vegetable bags), thick supermarket or boutique-style plastic bags (excluding AS 4736 Commercial Compostable or AS 5810 Home Compostable certified), single-use plastic beverage containers (including coffee cups with single-use plastic lids) (excluding AS 4736 Commercial Compostable or AS 5810 Home Compostable certified), and single-use plastic food containers beginning September 1, 2024.

Plastic fruit stickers, plastic soy sauce fish, and pre-packaged and connected items with plastic straws or cutlery are scheduled to be phased out by September 2025.

For additional information on impending and future prohibitions, please visit the Replace the Waste webpage. 

What does this mean for my business?

Depending on where you live, some of the changes that have already been implemented may have already had an impact on you. To determine if your firm is impacted by the prohibitions, you must first understand the relevant laws and amendments in your area. Atpack's Summary of Single-Use Plastic Bans is available for download to help companies navigate this developing landscape. 

If you may be impacted by any of the proposed changes later this year, it is time to start considering your alternatives. When ready, stop ordering restricted things and use up your current supply before the bans go into effect. Meanwhile, look into alternate paper packages that are consistent with local laws and prepare your firm for legislative changes. 

Become Plastic-Free with Atpack.

At Atpack, we're here to make the transfer as easy as possible. We recognise that certain organisations may suffer short-term issues while they migrate to plastic-free alternatives, which is why we created our. This line of plant-based takeout packaging is ethically sourced, certified, and either biodegradable or recyclable. 

Beyond developing our sustainable packaging, we've made it our aim to learn about existing and upcoming single-use plastic prohibitions so that we can assist you in navigating this ever-changing environment. Atpack is here to provide you with the most up-to-date information on legislation requirements for single-use plastic.