Single-use shopping bag ban in Victoria was introduced on 1 January 2019, and includes all lightweight shopping bags which have a thickness of 35 microns or less at any part of the bag, including degradable, biodegradable and compostable bags. However, regulations have been passed that ban the sale or supply of a wide range of single-use plastic items in Victoria. The new regulations will apply from 1 February 2023.
The ban will include plastic items made from conventional, degradable and compostable plastics such as bioplastics. Sustainability Victoria recommends businesses run down current stocks of the banned items in preparation for the ban, and avoid ordering any more of these items.
There are several proposed exemptions to the ban. Some of those include:
The Victorian Government will first work with businesses to ensure they understand their obligations. However penalties apply for non-compliance. Penalties apply for both offences, ranging from 60 penalty units for a natural person to 300 penalty for a body corporate. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will enforce the ban. From 1 February 2023, non-compliance can be reported to the EPA via epa.vic.gov.au or by calling 1300 372 842.
The Victorian Government in association with the National Retail Association (NRA) is delivering a range or resources and activities to help businesses and organisations with the transition. Resources include a dedicated team to visit retailers and hospitality businesses, hosting a toll-free hotline, and holding information sessions every Friday at 11 am AEDT from the 14th October, 2022.
Our team can help your business through these changes. Get in touch today, or contact your local state or authority! Disclaimer: Please check with your local / state authority for “Single-Use Plastic Bans” before purchasing any products from Castaway®. | |||||||||||||
Archives: News and Events
Single-use Plastic Bans
Across Australia, different regulations are currently in place for single-use plastic items. These plans are a positive step towards avoiding waste and reducing the harm caused to our wildlife, including marine life, through litter and pollution. We can all do our part to support this by making the change to sustainable packaging. Our team can help your business through these changes. Download our Single-Use Plastic Bans Chart.
Read the National Plastics Plan Stage 1: 1 JULY 2022
Stage 2: 1 DECEMBER 2022
2025: National Packaging Targets for industry
Read the NSW Plastics Action Plan Stage 1: 1 JUNE 2022
Stage 2: 1 NOVEMBER 2022
REVIEW IN 2024
Read the Single-Use Plastics Ban Lightweight plastic shopping bags (less than 35 microns thick) were banned in November 2011. STAGE 1: 1 JULY 2021
STAGE 2: 1 JULY 2022
Read the Single-Use Plastics Ban Plan Lightweight plastic shopping bags (include 35 um or less at any part of the bag) were banned in November 2019. Government departments and agencies will phase out single-use plastics, where it is safe to do so, by February 2022 ahead of the February 2023 ban. STAGE 1: 1 FEBRUARY 2023
FUTURE STAGES Longer-term consideration will be given to phasing out other problematic single-use plastic products such as plastic-lined coffee cups and lids, single-use plastic dinnerware and boutique or heavyweight plastic bags.
Read the Single-Use Plastics By-Law Information The city of Hobart now has a by-law that bans certain single-use plastic food packaging, which will be enforceable from 1 July 2021. STAGE 1: 1 JULY 2021 (Hobart)
*Exempt: Compostable plastics and other packaging products that are certified Industrially (AS4736, EN13432 or D6400) or home compostable (AS 5810) are allowed/exempt from the ban
Read the Single-Use Plastic Items Ban Lightweight plastic shopping bags (includes 35 um or less at any part of the bag) were banned in July 2018. Queensland’s wider ban on the supply of single-use plastic items started on 1 September 2021. The single-use plastic items ban is part of Queensland’s plan to tackle plastic pollution and follows strong support from the community, retailers and industry organisations.
*Exempt: Compostable plastics and other packaging products that are certified to the Australian Industrially (AS4736) or Australian home compostable (AS5810) standards are allowed/exempt from the ban.
Read the Single-Use Plastic Items Ban Lightweight plastic shopping bags (includes 35 um or less at any part of the bag) were banned in September 2011. The City of Darwin put in place plastic bans in January 2019. These bans apply to types of disposable items that cannot be used at events on council land and at Darwin’s markets.
STAGE 1: 1 JANUARY 2019
*Exempt: Compostable plastics and other packaging products that are certified to the Australian Industrially (AS4736) or Australian home (AS5810) standards are allowed/exempt from the ban.
Read about Replace The Waste South Australia’s Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 was the first legislation of its kind in Australia. Stage 1: 1 MARCH 2021
Stage 2: 1 MARCH 2022
EXEMPT: PLA lined cups, bowls and paper cups are exempt from the ban
Read the Plan for Plastics On 13 June 2021 the State Government announced it was fast-tracking Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics. STAGE 1: 1 JULY 2022
*Exempt: Compostable plastics and other packaging products that are certified to the Australian Industrially (AS4736) or Australian home compostable (AS5810) standards are allowed/exempt from the ban. Clear PLA cups although compostable to Australian standards is banned. STAGE 2: 1 JANUARY 2023 (Proposed)
The plan also includes actions for pre-packed fruit and vegetables, plastic beverage containers, takeaway food and beverage containers and plastic packaging.
Read about Phasing out hard to recycle and single use plastics New Zealand will ban problematic plastics and hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging in three stages between late 2022 and July 2025. This plan is a positive step towards avoiding waste and reducing the harm caused to our soils, waterways and the ocean through litter and pollution. STAGE 1: LATE 2022 (Proposed)
STAGE 2: MID 2023 (Proposed)
STAGE 3: MID 2025 (Proposed)
The government expects more work to be done on how to introduce phase-outs of certain types of expanded polystyrene, single-use cups (including coffee cups) and wed wipes.
The National Retail Association (NRA) Policy team are the leading experts on plastic bans across Australia, and can answer any of your questions on current and proposed bans in QLD, NSW, WA, SA, VIC and ACT. The NRA will work with retailers as they transition away from plastic. For more information, call the NRA Hotline on 1800 844 946 or visit their website.
Our team is also available to help you find alternative solutions. Get in touch today! | ||||
WA Plastic Ban
Plastics have become part of our everyday life. They are inexpensive, convenient and used in many applications. However, the single-use nature of many of these plastics contributes to a wasteful, take-make-dispose economy. Community concerns about plastic waste is at an all-time high. Internationally, across Australia and Western Australia, there is community pressure and an expectation that governments and companies must do more to address the issues and challenges associated with single-use plastic. Key DatesThe Western Australian Government has formalised plans to ban selected single-use plastic products across July and October 2022. In response to consultation feedback the State Government has released Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics. The plan’s preferred approach is avoidance of single-use plastics to mitigate the known impacts of single-use plastics on the environment and waste streams. The plan is consistent with the waste hierarchy by promoting actions that:
The Plan for Plastics will be delivered over the short (end of 2021) and medium-term (by the end of 2022) and will be complemented by voluntary approaches. From July 1, 2022 It will be an offence to sell or supply several disposable plastic items, including plastic items containing compostable plastics (unless specified) Single-use plastic or disposable items to be banned from July 1, 2022 include the following items:
From October 1, 2022 It will be an offence to sell or supply disposable plastic cold cups, including PET and clear PLA cups. Paperboard cups that are certified compostable to the Australian standard will be acceptable. Cold cup lids are not included in stage one bans.
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Compliant RangesExemptionsExemptions apply to the following paper lined products that are certified to the Australian compostability standards AS4736 or AS5810:
Find out more here. Additionally, these regulations will have exemptions for straws:
* These specifications apply to W.A and do not apply in all states. Enforcement & PenaltiesUnder the new regulations, it is proposed that it will be an offence to: Find out more here. What You Can Do NowBusinesses are encouraged to identify whether banned items still need to be provided to customers, and if so, what they can be replaced with alternative products made from a non-plastic material or are reusable. To prepare for the proposed bans it is important to consider: • Current stock levels of these items and to run down stocks of these items. We have a wide range of waste regulation compliant products for you to choose from. If you need assistance trying to navigate these changes and determine what you need, contact our team on (07) 3853 5800 or email enquiries@mpmmarketing.com.au. Your Compliant Options
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We’ve given Enviroboard™ a fresh new look
In the course of the company’s history, spanning over 40 years not only has Castaway® brand been changed – their product designs have also been modified to help them stay fresh and relevant. Castaway® Food Packaging are always evolving and reinvigorating the iconic brand, as we focus on the brand’s ability to be distinctive, memorable and meaningful. All Enviroboard™ products will have a brand new product image – leading the way, will be the range of clams. The new Enviroboard™ clams feature a more earthy finish, and a kraft brown colour. This visual makeover was made to reflect current trends. Enviroboard™ food packaging range has been a part of the Australian takeaway and meal delivery landscape for as long as many of us can remember. It simply needed to be refreshed to better fit today’s definition of eco-friendly, natural, and that’s as much about product aesthetic as it is about product performance and lifecycle. What are the benefits?Our Enviroboard™ range is made from sugarcane bagasse – the fibrous material left in the production of sugarcane, our Enviroboard™ range has been designed with performance and sustainability in mind. It includes clams, plates, bowls and containers (with recyclable clear lids) – known to have fulfilled their needs to customers who love their dependable performance, aesthetic and sustainability. Our products’ sustainability sets the standards for most consumers on today’s environmentally conscious age. With single-use plastic bans currently being discussed and legislated around Australia and New Zealand, more and more brands are turning towards eco-friendly products. To find out about the
How does your business benefit by using Enviroboard™ takeaway packaging?Once you switch to food packaging made from eco-friendly materials, you promote an environmentally friendly image that inspires trust in your business. Here’s some of the benefits:
* Certified Industrially compostable to EN13432. Certified home compostable to OK compost HOME |
The new Enviroboard™ range of clams is currently available in Australia, and expected to roll out to the New Zealand market by the end of this year.
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Summer Sizzlers
Sun, fun and food… There’s nothing like a bit of sunshine to encourage people to get out and about – and this Summer many of us will be taking advantage of the warmer weather to enjoy some healthy food and drinks. More and more consumers are willing to pay more for brands of foods sold in eco-friendly packaging products.Castaway® Food Packaging offer a wide range of packaging to present the most on-trend healthy food dishes with style. Our products’ sustainability sets the standards for most And customers make their own contribution by disposing of the packaging in the right way, making sure it’s recycled or composted. |
Kick start your foam free journey!
At the national level, governments have made their expectations clear with the Environment Ministers Meeting listing eight priority plastic items to be phased out nationally by 2025, and the National Plastics Plan setting ambitious time frames for the phase-out of some items by 2022 to combat mounting plastic waste – Polystyrene foam (commonly used to packaging consumer goods) is one of them, and will be phased out in Australia by mid-2022.
At Castaway, we have welcomed many aspects of the plan – which also includes beginning the phase-out of polystyrene food and beverage containers. Timelines have also been agreed across our supply chain since the targets were announced in 2018. We have a range of tools and resources to help businesses make the changes needed, and will continue to support local businesses to switch to alternative products whenever and wherever possible. We embrace the Australian Packaging Covenant’s Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPG) and will formally adopt them when designing proprietary products for specific customers.
Most state governments in Australia have planned to implement a single-use plastic ban. This can get quite confusing at time. So far, only Queensland and ACT have legislated bans on foam, while the City of Hobart’s bylaw banning some single-use plastics came into effect 1 July 2021. Other states and territories are set to follow. | ||||||||||||
Our team is well placed to help you navigate the ever-changing foodservice landscape. For more information, please get in touch with us. | ||||||||||||
Plastic Recycling – Common myths & misconceptions
Send someone a gift… of coffee!
Coffee is no laughing matter to Australians, which means quality beans and brewing kits are a home necessity. In a time when things are so up and down, getting a little surprise in the mail can mean the world to someone else. Whether there’s a birthday on the horizon, or maybe you’ve notice a friend has been feeling a little down, a coffee gift pack might just be the pick-me-up they need. And hey, there’s no one saying you can’t send one to yourself, too! We are proud of our coffee culture, the quality and standards that we have set for ourselves and the rest of the world recognises that. Thankfully, along with quality beans, Australian-made packaging options in whatever sizes designed for your ideal preparation, storage, and transportation are always available to you – these are the cream to the crop.
CASTAWAY® WINDOW PLATTERSMade from sustainably sourced brown kraft paper, our Window Platters feature a snap-on, clear lid options – providing quality and style, and showcase your beautiful treats and gifts recipients will surely love!
COFFEE BAGSYou can now recreate the café experience from the comfort of your customer’s home or office with our range of coffee bags. Check out the range, the possibilities are endless when your customers are becoming their own barista. Bags are individually packed and heat sealed to ensure ease of preparation, convenience and to keep your beans fresh between brews.
NEED SOME FOOD TO GO WITH THAT DELIVERY COFFEE?Check out our range of food packaging.
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Queensland – Get ready for the single-use plastic ban!
In a bid to tackle pollution and environmental damage, Queensland became the second state after South Australia to pass bans on single-use plastics. During Queensland Government community consultation, 94% of survey respondents supported a ban on single-use plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers. This plastics ban comes on the back of other state-wide initiatives already implemented to curtail plastic pollution such as its container refund scheme and the ban on the supply of lightweight, single-use plastic shopping bags. 10 March 2021 This ban is part of Queensland’s plan to tackle plastic pollution and follows strong support from the community, retailers and industry organisations. Stage 1 – 1 September 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stage 2 – Date to be confirmed Examples:
Additionally, the following businesses* are exempt and can continue to supply banned plastic items:
* These specifications apply to Queensland and do not apply in all states. These products will be phased out immediately, and penalties apply for failure to comply. The Environment Protection Authority will enforce the legislation against single-use plastic products in Queensland. To find out what penalties apply in Queensland, the full Bill is available here. Businesses are encouraged to identify whether banned items still need to be provided to customers, and if so, what they can be replaced with. The National Retail Association (NRA), a member of the Queensland Government’s Single-use Plastic Items Ban Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG), has been appointed to work with businesses to ensure they understand the ban and what they must do to comply, as well as options to manage excess stock. For more information, call the National Retail Association Hotline on 1800 844 946 or visit their website. We have a wide range of waste regulation compliant products for you to choose from. If you need assistance trying to navigate these changes and determine what you need, contact our team on (07) 3853 5800 or email enquiries@mpmmarketing.com.au. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tackling the Plastic Challenge – July 2021
Governments are continuing to ramp up policy and regulation on single-use plastics. At the national level, governments have made their expectations clear with the Environment Ministers Meeting listing eight priority plastic items to be phased out nationally by 2025, and the National Plastics Plan setting ambitious time frames for the phase out of some items by 2022. Three states and territories have legislated bans on some single-use plastics and others are set to follow, while the City of Hobart’s bylaw banning some single use plastics comes into effect 1 July 2021.
South Australia’s was the first state to ban on single-use plastics. Legislation passed in 2020 with a staged ban commencing 1 March 2021, to be completed 1 March 2022. Products included in the ban:
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Hobart City Council was the first council to pass legislation to ban single-use plastics at takeaway food retailers in March 2020. The City now has a by-law that bans single-use plastics at takeaway food retailers, which is in place from 1 July 2021.
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Queensland passed legislation to ban a selection of single-use plastics on 11 March 2021, to be effective on 1 September 2021. Products included in the ban:
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The NSW Government will gradually eliminate single-use plastics under a new Plastics Plan and Waste Strategy set to be legislated later this year.
Sources:
Legislation expected to be passed in February 2022 with a single-use plastics ban introduced in 2023. Products proposed for the ban:
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The West Australian Government has fast-tracked its Plan for Plastic. The new timeframe will see WA’s Plan for Plastic fully implemented by the end of 2022, four years earlier than originally planned. WA’s Plan for Plastics provides a roadmap towards a more sustainable, plastic-free WA by implementing
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The New Zealand Government has announced plan to ban some plastic products by July 2025. The three-stage plan to phase our hard-to-recycle plastic packaging will take place over the next four years.
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MPM Marketing services embraces the APC’s Sustainable Packaging Guidelines and will formally adopt them when designing proprietary products for specific customers as well as stock containers for use by all customers. During this design process, we seek to balance environmental objectives with market appeal, warehousing and distribution efficiencies. MPM Marketing Services applies sustainable design principles in all of its product development activities. In line with the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines, Sustainability is embedded into the product development process at MPM Marketing and these guidelines are being applied to both new and existing items as part of our commitment to the Australian Packaging Covenant. | ||||