New South Wales Single Use Plastic Bans are detailed in the NSW Plastics Action Plan that was was released in June 2021. It highlights the phase-out of certain single-use plastics as a key action, with a timetable for phasing out the most littered plastic items. The Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021 (PRCE Act) was made in November 2021 to enable this to occur. We have detailed the dates foodservice related packaging items have been banned or are proposed to feature in an upcoming ban

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2026 – 2030 Plan

In November, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) released their  Plastics Plan 2.0. Below is a roadmap of the regulations the EPA is intending to release between 2026 and 2030.

2026 - Ban release of balloons / trials for reusable cup systems in NSW Government premises.

2027 - Ban of: plastics containing pro-degradant additives​, rinse-off cleaning products with plastic microbeads​, all plastic bags with handles, umbrella bags​, pizza savers​, bakery tags​, balloon sticks and ties​, loose-fill packaging made from foamed plastic​, food service items made from foamed plastic​ / reuse-only precinct in the Sydney CBD / Identify chemicals of concern in food and beverage packaging items.

2028 - Ban of:​ plastic confectionery sticks, moulded made from foamed plastic / food service businesses to accept reusable cups for takeaway / single-use plastic cups, food containers, and lids to be recyclable / disposal labelling on single-use plastic cups, food containers, and plastic bags.

2030 - Phasing out fruit and vegetable stickers​, large food service businesses to offer reusable cups for takeaway beverages / single-serve plastic condiment packages to be recyclable with disposal labelling / plastic lids to be tethered to plastic beverage and both to be recyclable / Implement a product stewardship scheme for plastic takeaway cups and food containers

1 January 2025

BANNED: Integrated plastic spoon, integrated single-use plastic straw, expanded polystyrene (EPS) cup containing dry noodles with flavouring or soup powder sealed by a machine-automated process

1 November 2022 (Stage Two Ban)

BANNED: Plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, bowls, plates, and expanded polystyrene food service items, including PLA compostable versions of these items.

EXEMPT: The ban does NOT apply to plastic bowls (regular plastic and compostable PLA) designed or intended to have a spill-proof lid. And plastic-lined paper plates and bowls are exempt from the ban until November 2024.

1 June 2022 (Stage One Ban - Shopping Bag Ban)

BANNED: Single-use lightweight shopping bags with handles (35 microns thick or less), including compostable versions.

EXEMPT: Compostable bags are accepted if not used to carry goods (bin liner & dog waste etc).