The NSW Government is taking another step to reduce plastic waste, announcing the next phase of single-use and problematic plastic phase-outs on the eve of National Recycling Week.

Plastic remains one of NSW’s biggest environmental challenges. It makes up around 74 per cent of litter in our waterways, and less than 16 per cent of plastic waste is recycled in NSW, with the remainder taking up valuable space in landfill.

The next stage of the NSW Plastics Plan will target unnecessary and hard-to-recycle plastic products. It gives business and industry time to transition while helping to reduce waste and landfill demand.

The phase-in will be managed responsibly and in stages to allow business to adjust and find practical alternatives.

The changes will also encourage new investment in recycling infrastructure and reusable products, with the Government working closely with industry to support the transition and minimise disruption.

In an Australian first, the plan will also develop a ‘green’ and ‘red’ list of chemicals that are and are not allowed to be used in plastic items. This list will identify chemicals to phase out that are known to cause problems for human health and the environment, and which have safer alternatives already in use.

The NSW Plastics Plan 2.0 actions include:

• phase out plastic bread tags and pizza savers from late 2027;
• phase out non-compostable plastic fruit and vegetable stickers by 2030;
• introduce tethered lids (meaning the cap or lid on a plastic bottle must remain attached to the bottle itself, even after it’s opened) for plastic bottles by 2030;
• require takeaway food service businesses to accept reusable cups by 2028 and large food service businesses to provide reusable cup options by 2030;
• phase out small condiment containers such as soy sauce fish bottles by 2030 and similar single-use packaging that cannot be recycled, in favour of recyclable options;
• require the redesign of takeaway food containers, such as plastic bowls with lids, bento boxes and sushi trays, to ensure they can be recycled safely;
• regulate harmful chemical additives in plastic food and beverage packaging to prevent toxins entering soil, water and the food chain;
• ban lighter-than-air (helium) balloon releases, in line with other states.

The NSW Government’s approach builds on previous bans of lightweight plastic bags, straws, stirrers and single-use cutlery, and has been shaped through extensive consultation with industry, environment groups and the community.

The Government will continue consultation with industry, small businesses, manufacturers, retailers and councils to support a smooth transition to safer, recyclable alternatives. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has already been consulting with industry in detail.

Where possible, NSW will continue to align with other jurisdictions to give industry consistency and certainty.

To read the NSW Plastics Plan 2.0, visit https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Plastics/plastics-plan-20.

Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe said, “Microplastics are entering our bodies and plastic is polluting our environment and oceans, killing our wildlife.

“This plan moves NSW another step closer to phasing out these problematic items.

“Our plan has carefully considered actions we need to take to protect the environment and human health, while also considering how we can support industry to transition to recyclable or reusable alternatives.

“The great news is that industry is already moving this way – many businesses are leading the way in developing alternatives to single-use plastics.

“We will continue to work with industry, small businesses, manufacturers, retailers and councils to support a smooth transition to safer, recyclable alternatives.”

General Manager, Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, Bill Heague said, “At Mars, we’re working towards a world where no packaging becomes waste.

“We welcome moves to phase out problematic plastic formats, which is why we’re trialling new innovations like our paper-based MasterFoods Squeeze-On Tomato Sauce packs, which are recyclable and could eliminate around 190 tonnes of plastic from our value chain if we fully transition our portfolio.

“In order to adopt more sustainable packaging without impacting negatively on the consumer’s experience, businesses like ours need time to research, develop, test and scale up new packaging solutions.

“We welcome the NSW’s Government’s recognition that an adjustment period for businesses will support a smooth transition, and we’re excited by the possibilities further innovations in this space may present.”