Single-use plastic ban

What items are banned? What items are not banned?

FROM 1 JUNE 2022

The supply of lightweight plastic bags (bags with handles that are 35 microns thick or less at any part of the bag and are partly or fully plastic) is banned.

The ban does not apply to other plastic bags such as:

• barrier bags that protect unpackaged food (e.g. fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat or fish)
• bin liner bags
• human or animal waste bags
• produce bags
• bags used for medical purposes and
• sealed product packaging bags.

FROM 1 NOVEMBER 2022

The supply of single-use plastic cutlery, stirrers, straws*, plates and bowls is banned.

The ban does not apply to:

• single-use plastic bowls with a spill proof lid
• serving utensils or serving ware (e.g. tongs, platters)
• pre-packaged items that are integrated into the packaging of a food or beverage product through a machine automated process (e.g., straw attached to a juice box, or bowl containing a frozen meal).

* For people with a disability or medical need: Single-use plastic straws may be provided upon request by individuals or organisations who serve food or drinks, registered charities and local government offices; may be given out at health facilities; or may be sold from online suppliers, pharmacies and chemists, manufacturers, producers and wholesalers.

The supply of expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service items (including EPS clamshells, cups, plates and bowls) is banned.

The ban does not apply to:

• EPS trays used for raw produce (e.g. produce such as raw meat, seafood, fruit or vegetables)
• EPS containers used for business-to-business transport.

The supply of single-use plastic cotton buds is banned.

The ban does not apply to:

• re-usable cotton bud sticks with replaceable buds
• cotton buds with paper, wood or bamboo sticks.

The supply of rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads is banned.

Rinse-off personal care products include:

• face and body cleansers, exfoliants and masks
• shampoo, conditioner and hair dyes
• toothpaste

If you are concerned about microbeads in products you supply, look for the following commonly used ingredients:

• polyethylene (PE)
• polypropylene (PP)
• polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
• nylon (PA).

For further information, visit: Extra information for businesses

©2022 Single-use plastic ban

Plastic-Free Living for Businesses webinar:

Council held an online workshop in June 2022 titled ‘Plastic Free Living for Businesses’ to assist businesses in being prepared for the NSW Government’s single-use plastic ban.

The online workshop looked at some of the simplest, easiest and most effective ways to ditch single-use plastic.

The workshop covered:

• How to prepare for the ban
• Questions to ask your supplier
• How to inform your team and customers

To view the recording of the webinar, please visit: Plastic Free Living for Businesses

This project was a NSW Department of Planning and Environment, Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.