- Single-use takeaway food container lids and loose produce bags to be replaced with compostable alternatives under Plan for Plastics
- Regulations set to save 1.1 billion single-use plastics from landfill every year
- State Government to continue common-sense, education-focused approach to enforcement
The Cook Labor Government's nation-leading Plan for Plastics continues with takeaway food container lids and loose produce bags the latest products in Western Australia to be replaced by compostable, environmentally friendly alternatives.
Since the plan commenced in 2021, WA has removed hundreds of millions of single-use plastic items from circulation, with up to 1.1 billion items to be saved from landfill every year once the plan is fully implemented.
Items banned under the plan include plastic takeaway coffee cups, microbeads, polystyrene cups, cotton buds with plastic stems, and loose-fill polystyrene packaging.
It's expected a ban on single-use plastic takeaway food container lids and loose produce bags will save up to an additional 226 million single-use plastics from landfill and litter every year.
Households with access to the three-bin FOGO system may also compost compliant produce bags, including using them as a kitchen caddy liner.
Businesses have been given transition periods to work through the changes with the State Government taking a common-sense, education-focused approach to enforcement.
The National Retail Association and the Boomerang Alliance will continue to support businesses throughout the transition, while also supporting businesses and local governments to adapt through the WA Plastic Free Places program and the Plastic Ban Solution Finder tool.
That tool, provided by the Boomerang Alliance, allows businesses to search for products on the market that are compliant with WA's Plan for Plastics.
For more information, visit: https://plasticsbanwa.com.au
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"Western Australia leads the nation when it comes to phasing out single-use plastics.
"So many of us have swapped out disposable shopping bags and coffee cups for environmentally friendly alternatives, and I see no reason why we won't do the same with produce bags and takeaway food containers.
"Our State has a proud history of reducing plastic waste, and I have confidence the community will welcome this latest step."
