By Juliano Oliveira
The Queensland Government is moving towards the ban of the single-use plastic items as straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates.
Bill introduced by the State also stipulates a public consultation on the likelihood of banning more single-use plastic like coffee cups, polystyrene cups, take-away food containers and heavyweight in the future.
“First our government banned single-use plastic bags, then we introduced the highly successful Containers for Change program, and now we have taken the next step in our war on plastic waste by introducing this Bill,” Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch.
“That’s why the Bill allows for flexibility, with the start date for the ban to be no earlier than 1 July 2021, allowing businesses and the hospitality industry adequate time to source new products.”
At the beginning of the year, 94% Queenslanders had their say in favour of the ban of single-use plastic items.
“That’s an overwhelming statement from communities wanting to find a positive solution to reducing plastic waste and protecting our environment,” she said.
“90 per cent of submissions supported a proposed start date of 1 July 2021,” Ms Enoch said.
Items such as single-use plastic straws that are part of juice box packaging will not be part of the ban at this time, enabling the government to work with packaging and product manufacturers to develop more sustainable options.