By the end of next year, single use plastics will not be allowed to be produced or sold in NSW. This includes bags, straws, cotton buds, plates, bowls and cutlery.

The phase out of plastics comes after the NSW Parliament this week passed the Plastics and Circular Economy Act 2021 – which will see single-use plastics phased out from June 2022.

The news of the plastics phase out was well received by Lismore Mayor Vanessa Ekins who said it was “good news” that the state government is “finally moving to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging”.

Lobbying

Ms Ekins said it has taken many years of lobbying the government for this to happen.

She welcomes the government’s commitment to spending $356 million over five years to deliver the NSW Plastics Action Plan and the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041.

Waste levy question

But, Mayor Ekins said the government’s $350 million in funding was only half the amount that local councils in NSW pay the state government each year.

“We pay this as a waste levy that is supposed to be invested in recycling technologies - but it is not,” she said.

“So, the state has collected nearly $4 billion dollars from NSW councils in the last six years, but this is the first attempt we see to take any serious waste action.”

Lismore’s cloth bags

“In Lismore many of our cafes and restaurants have already moved toward cardboard boxes and brown paper bags - and most of us have more cloth shopping bags than we know what to do with. 

“We are already reducing our plastic consumption.

Plastic waste

In NSW, plastic packaging and single-use plastics make up 60% of litter across NSW. Only 10% of plastics are recycled and the rest ending up in landfill, or littering our streets, dumped in our parks and washing up in waterways.

Mayor Ekins said “it is sobering to read that only 10% of plastics are recycled in NSW and this is part of the reason why Lismore City Council is moving toward a circular economy”. Read more: Lismore's waste strategy plan needs your feedback

“What this means is a change to the way we treat waste so it becomes a resource that we can reuse,” she said.

“Such as the revolve shop and repair cafes, sorting and pelletising plastic, turning waste paper into cardboard. 

“Council will be consulting with our community on this waste strategy soon.”

Transition

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the plastics transition funding will help reduce the environmental impacts of plastics litter, while encouraging the development of new and innovative products.

“This legislation is expected to stop 2.7 billion single-use items from ending up in our natural environment and waterways over the next 20 years, and is a game-changer in the fight against plastic waste across our state,” he said.

Support for affected businesses

Minister Kean said as NSW makes the changes, businesses will be supported to transition to alternative products before the phase outs come into effect. 

“Exemptions will also apply for members of the community who rely on particular single-use plastics for disability of health needs,” he said. 

What will be phased out and when?

Included in the plastics phase out are plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and bowls, as well as cotton buds with plastic sticks and microbeads in personal care and cosmetic products.

The first design standard has been set for microbeads in cosmetic and personal care items, and will ensure microbeads are phased out from 1 November 2022. 

The legislation will prohibit the supply of lightweight plastic bags from 1 June 2022. 

The supply of other items will be prohibited from 1 November 2022, including single-use plastic straws, cutlery, stirrers, cotton buds, plates and bowls, and expanded polystyrene foodservice items.

For more information on the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021 visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics