Another step towards plastic-free living
Canberra has taken another step transitioning away from single-use plastic products to more sustainable alternatives.
Single-use plastic straws, cotton buds with plastic sticks, and all oxo-degradable plastics (like certain types of degradable dog waste bags or bin liners, which break down into harmful microplastics) are now banned from supply in the ACT.
These items join plastics already banned in the ACT under the Plastic Reduction Act 2021 which are single-use plastic cutlery, drink stirrers, and expanded polystyrene takeaway and drink containers.
The challenge
Single-use plastics often end up as litter in our environment or in local landfill.
These plastic items do not naturally break down in the environment, instead, they may take hundreds of years to naturally breakdown.
They can also break down into fragments and cause further harm to the environment.
The action
Queenie’s Café in Mawson has made sure they were ahead of the curve by proactively shifting away from single-use plastics and embracing eco-friendly alternatives.
Queenie’s Café owner Queenie Lian made the decision three years ago to replace single-use plastics with more sustainable options.
“As a business owner, we have to do the right thing. Most customers are already educated about sustainability, and they are happy to see us make this change for the environment,” Queenie said.
The benefit
In 2023 even more single-use plastic items will be considered for banning. This could include microbeads, expanded polystyrene products and packaging (with potential exemptions for white and brown goods) and plastic takeaway containers.
Find out more information on the ACT’s ban on selected single-use plastics and plastic-free events.
What's next?
You choose.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.