Single-use plastic bans in Australia: where are we and what lies ahead?

The NSW Parliament's recent passing of the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy  Act 2021  (NSW), makes the State the last Australian jurisdiction to implement a ban against single-use plastic bags. This ban will come into effect on 1 June 2022.   

In November 2021, Corrs discussed the NSW bill proposing to ban 'unnecessary' and 'problematic' plastic items, the precursor to the new Act.

As each state and territory are taking a different approach to the phasing out of single-use plastics and replacement with emerging alternatives, it is timely to reflect on progress across Australia.  

The table below summarises the existing and proposed bans in each jurisdiction. By early 2023, the majority of single-use plastics listed below will be banned across Australia. Tasmania and Northern Territory are excluded from the table as their single-use plastics bans are limited to plastic bags.