Single-Use Plastic Bans - SA | BioPak Australia

SOUTH AUSTRALIA SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BANS

SHOP BIOPAK APPROVED SOLUTIONS

BioPak offers compliant solutions to the South Australian Single-Use Plastic bans. We provide certified compostable alternatives made from sustainably sourced and rapidly renewable materials, so you can feel confident that you have future-proof solutions.

1 September 2024

All Banned Items All non-compostable beverage cups, containers and lids used for takeaway or eat-in for food/ beverages made to order onsite for sales and consumption on the same day. Items packaged offsite are not included in the ban.		Biopak Approved Solutions All compostable items must be certified home or industrially compostable to Australian standards (AS5810/AS4736).
CUPS & LIDS FOR HOT BEVERAGES
Plastic Lined Paper Cups & Lids, & Plastic Lids		Shop Approved Solutions PLA Cups & Lids Aqueous/PLA Lined Paper Cups & Lids Plant Fibre Lids Reusable Cups & Lids
CUPS & LIDS FOR COLD BEVERAGES
Plastic or Plastic Lined Paper Cups & Lids		Shop Approved Solutions Aqueous/PLA Lined Paper Cups & Lids PLA/Plant Fibre Lids Reusable Cups & Lids
CUPS & LIDS FOR FOOD
Plastic or Plastic Lined Paper Cups & Lids		Shop Approved Solutions Aqueous/PLA Lined Paper Bowls & Lids PLA Cups & Lids Plant Fibre Bowls & Lids
EXEMPTIONS: Temporary exemption until 28 February 2026, for businesses using single-use plastic containers and lids with the capacity of 500ml or less that is used for retail sale of potatoes, gravy or peas intended to be provided to a customer at a temperature of above 60°C. Temporary exemption until 1 September 2029 for PP food containers and lids used to serve liquid food, or other foods comprised of a substantial amount of liquid, above 60°C. The container must have a lid made from PP, (whether separate or attached to the container).
COLD SALAD BOWLS & LIDS
Plastic or Plastic Lined Paper Bowls & Lids		Shop Approved Solutions Aqueous/PLA Lined Paper Bowls & Lids PLA/Plant Fibre Bowls & Lids
ICE CREAM CUPS & LIDS
Plastic or Plastic Lined Paper Bowls & Lids		Shop Approved Solutions Aqueous/PLA Lined Paper Bowls & Lids PLA/Plant Fibre Bowls & Lids
ROUND CONTAINERS/BOWLS & LIDS
Plastic or Plastic Lined Paper Bowls & Lids		Shop Approved Solutions PLA/Plant Fibre Bowls & Lids Aqueous/PLA Lined Paper Bowls & Lids CPLA Lids
EXEMPTIONS: Temporary exemption until 28 February 2026, for businesses using single-use plastic containers and lids with the capacity of 500ml or less that is used for retail sale of potatoes, gravy or peas intended to be provided to a customer at a temperature of above 60°C. Temporary exemption until 1 September 2029 for PP food containers and lids used to serve liquid food, or other foods comprised of a substantial amount of liquid, above 60°C. The container must have a lid made from PP, (whether separate or attached to the container).
RECTANGLE & SQUARE FOOD CONTAINERS & LIDS
Plastic or Plastic Lined Paper Containers & Lids		Shop Approved Solutions PLA/Plant Fibre Containers & Lids Aqueous/PLA Lined Paper Containers & Lids
EXEMPTIONS: Temporary exemption until August 31, 2029, for businesses using clear single-use plastic square or rectangular food containers with detachable lids made from polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), when serving very hot food or displaying food in fridges or hot environments without suitable reusable or compostable alternatives. Temporary exemption until 28 February 2026, for businesses using single-use plastic containers and lids with the capacity of 500ml or less that is used for retail sale of potatoes, gravy or peas intended to be provided to a customer at a temperature of above 60°C. Temporary exemption until 1 September 2029 for PP food containers and lids used to serve liquid food, or other foods comprised of a substantial amount of liquid, above 60°C. The container must have a lid made from PP, (whether separate or attached to the container).
LUNCHBOXES
Plastic or Plastic Lined Paper Boxes & Lids with or without a window		Shop Approved Solutions Aqueous/PLA Lined Paper Boxes Aqueous/PLA Box Windows Paper/Plant Fibre Clamshells
NOODLE BOXES
Plastic Lined Paper Boxes		Shop Approved Solutions Aqueous/PLA Lined Paper Boxes
SANDWICHES & BAKERY
Plastic or Plastic Lined/Windowed Paper Wedges/Boxes Plastic Lined Paper Bag		Shop Approved Solutions Aqueous/PLA Lined Boxes Aqueous/PLA Box Windows Paper/Plant Fibre Clamshells Paper Trays With SOS Bag Unlined or PLA/Aqueous Lined Bags
CATERING BOXES
CATERING BOXES NOT BANNED When the food container is designed or intended to be used to contain multiple serves of food for the purposes of catering at a function or event		Shop Approved Solutions BioBoard Catering Boxes & Lids
SUSHI
Plastic or Plastic Lined Paper Boxes Trays & Lids Plastic Lined Paper Bag		Shop Approved Solutions Aqueous/PLA Lined Paper Trays Plant Fibre Sushi Trays & Compartment Trays used with Plant Fibre for the compartment tray lid Unlined or PLA/Aqueous Lined Bags
EXEMPTIONS: Temporary exemption until August 31, 2029, for businesses using clear single-use plastic square or rectangular food containers with detachable lids made from polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), when serving very hot food or displaying food in fridges or hot environments without suitable reusable or compostable alternatives.
SAUCE CUPS
Plastic or Plastic Lined Paper Sauce Cups		Shop Approved Solutions PLA/Plant Fibre Sauce Cups & Lids
EXEMPTIONS: Temporary exemption until 28 February 2026, for businesses using single-use plastic containers and lids with the capacity of 500ml or less that is used for retail sale of potatoes, gravy or peas intended to be provided to a customer at a temperature of above 60°C. Temporary exemption until 1 September 2029 for PP food containers and lids used to serve liquid food, or other foods comprised of a substantial amount of liquid, above 60°C. The container must have a lid made from PP, (whether separate or attached to the container).

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Currently Banned Items

CUTLERY
Plastic/PLA or Plastic/PLA Lined Cutlery & Stirrers		Shop Approved Solutions Wooden Cutlery Unlined (Natural Wax Coating is accepted) Plant Fibre Cutlery Unlined
STRAWS
Plastic/PLA or Plastic/PLA Lined Paper Straws		Shop Approved Solutions Unlined Paper Straws
EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE
Expanded Polystyrene Cups, Bowls and Containers		Shop Approved Solutions Aqueous or PLA Paper Cups & Lids PLA Clear Cups & Lids Plant Fibre Clamshells Paper Clamshells
PLATES
Plastic Plates		Shop Approved Solutions Plant Fibre Plates
SHOPPING BAGS
Plastic or Plastic Lined Shopping Bags		Shop Approved Solutions Paper Bags PLA Bags

Further Information

South Australia’s Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 is the first legislation of its kind in Australia. We have detailed the dates foodservice related packaging items have been banned or are proposed to feature in an upcoming ban.

Read more on the Government website >

1 September 2025 (Stage Five Ban)

Plastic soy sauce fish, pre-packaged and attached products (i.e. products that contain plastic straws or cutlery).

1 September 2024 (Stage Four Ban)

Single-use plastic beverage containers (including coffee cups), Single-use plastic food containers (EPS) consumer food and beverage containers (e.g. gelato tubs) and EPS trays used for meat, fruit and other food items.

1 September 2023 (Stage Three Ban)

BANNED: Single-use plastic bowls (designed not to fit a lid) and plates, (plastic-lined paper bowls and plates exempt until 1 Nov 2024) and plastic pizza savers. The ban includes PLA compostable versions of these items. All BioPak bowls are designed to fit a lid, so are considered food containers in this regulation. Therefore no BioPak item is affected by this coming ban.

March 2022 (Stage Two Ban)

BANNED: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) cups, bowls, plates, containers and all oxo-degradable products.
EXEMPT: PLA bioplastic bowls, cups and PLA lined paper cups.
PENALTIES: Maximum penalty: $20,000. Maximum expiation fee: $1,000. Different fees for different types of penalties. (Source)

March 2021 (Stage One Ban)

BANNED: Plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, including PLA bioplastic versions of those items.

May 2009 (Shopping Bag Ban)

BANNED: Plastic shopping bags at or below 35 micrometres.
EXEMPT: Compostable bags that meet the Australian Standard AS4736-2006, including BioPak Bioplastic bags.