Another step towards reducing plastic waste
04 Jul 2022
The ACT Government has taken an important step towards reducing plastic waste in the ACT by banning more single-use plastic items.
The plastics now banned from supply in the ACT include:
- single-use plastic straws (with an exemption for those who need them)
- cotton buds with plastic sticks
- all oxo-degradable plastics (like certain types of degradable dog waste bags or bin liners which break down into harmful microplastics).
These items join plastics already banned in the ACT under the Plastic Reduction Act 2021 which include:
- single-use plastic cutlery
- single-use plastic drink stirrers
- expanded polystyrene food and beverage containers
- lightweight plastic bags (less than 35 microns in thickness).
More local events will go beyond the ban to reduce their plastic waste this year by banning more items such as single-use plastic plates, bowls, takeaway containers, balloons, balloon sticks and plastic confetti.
These events include:
- Floriade and Floriade NightFest
- Haig Park Village Markets
- Vegan State of Mind festival
- Windows to the World
- Canberra Nara Candle Festival
- New Year’s Eve 2022
- All events organised at the University of Canberra
- All events at the ANU’s Llewellyn Hall.
It’s now up to the Canberra community to continue to embrace the changes and the sustainable alternatives many businesses have transitioned to.
For more information, and to find a range of resources to help businesses or community groups make the transition towards sustainable alternatives, please visit the single-use plastics page.
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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.