The new financial year brings some important changes for Canberra's environment and animal welfare. These actions are part of the ACT Government's plans to keep making our city cleaner, more liveable and more sustainable.
More action on plastic waste
"The ACT has taken another important step in combating plastic waste with single-use plastic straws, cotton buds with plastic sticks, and all oxo-degradable plastics now officially banned from 1 July," said Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel.
These items join plastics already on the banned list – including single-use plastic cutlery, drink stirrers, expanded polystyrene takeaway and drink containers.
Exceptions are in place for people who may still need access to plastic straws for safety and accessibility reasons, including Canberrans with disability.
Minister Steel said the recent changes were also encouraging event organisers to take more action on plastic waste.
"Floriade – along with its popular NightFest – is going even further by banning single-use plastic plates, bowls and takeaway containers when the events return in September. This is a great example of how government can lead the way in showing what's possible for sustainability."
The ACT Government has also worked with the coordinators of the Haig Park Village Markets, Vegan State of Mind festival, Windows to the World, Canberra Nara Candle Festival, New Year's Eve 2022 and organisers at the University of Canberra and ANU's Llewellyn Hall to ban a range of single-use plastics at their events. This will cut the use of single-use plastic plates and bowls for all events, along with plastic takeaway containers, balloons, balloon sticks and plastic confetti.
