Get Ready – NSW ban on the supply of certain single-use plastic items from 1 November 2022

Are you across the upcoming plastic ban starting 1st November, 2022? Keep reading for details and feel free to share with your team:

From 1 November 2022, supply of the following items will be banned in NSW:

  • Plastic single-use cutlery (spoons, knives, forks, sporks, chopsticks – any utensil used for consuming food)

  • Plastic single-use plates and bowls (excludes bowls with a spill proof lid whether separate or attached)

  • Plastic single-use stirrers

  • Plastic single-use straws (with exemptions for people with a disability or medical need)

  • Plastic single-use cotton buds

  • Expanded polystyrene food ware including bowls, cups, clamshell containers and plates (includes any plastic item made in whole or in part of expanded polystyrene used to serve food or beverages)

  • Plastic microbeads in rinse off personal hygiene products

The ban applies even if they are made from biodegradable, compostable, or bioplastics. This includes those made from Australian certified compostable plastic.

Lightweight plastic shopping bags with handles (35 microns or less in thickness) have been banned since 1 June 2022.

Who do the bans apply to?

  • Anyone who supplies a banned item in NSW while carrying on a business. This includes activities for commercial, charitable, sporting, education, or community purposes. For example:

  • Retail or hospitality businesses must not provide banned items to their customers.

  • Such as: restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, takeaway food outlets, party supply stores, discount stores, supermarkets, market stalls, online stores, and any other retailer

  • Product/packaging suppliers must not supply banned items to anyone within or into NSW. Such as: manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and wholesalers

  • Community groups and not-for-profits must not supply banned items as part of a service, for regular activities or during events or fundraising activities. Such as: charities, welfare services, religious bodies, education providers, and fundraising events.

RESOURCES & to read more: https://dpe.mysocialpinpoint.com.au/plastics-ban-nsw

Here are two resources to help you to prepare for the ban: a guide for businesses and additional supplier advice to prepare for the ban.

Help & advice for businesses

The NSW Government has partnered with the National Retail Association to provide engagement and education services for businesses and community organisations across NSW. These free services include:

  • Custom resources and signage (including information in 15 languages) – download here

  • Visiting thousands of stores in 650 shopping centres and retail precincts across metropolitan and regional areas to provide face-to-face advice and resources.

  • Holding regular online question and answer sessions for businesses and community organisations – register here

  • Providing a specialist tollfree hotline 1800 844 946 and email sustainability@nra.net.au to answer unique business queries.

Find out more

We encourage you to review the website resources, download signage and attend the information sessions being provided by the National Retail Association. The next information session is being held on 31 August 2022. 

This information was provided to us by Tony Chappel, CEO for NSW Environment Protection Authority on 18th August, 2022.

Berenice Walkerplastic ban, NSW EPA, Sydney Cafe