On October 1, 2022, the first phase of Western Australia's plastic plan has been completed, officially banning the use of 10 items such as single-use plastic cups (see end of the article), which will be removed from landfill or landfill in Western Australia every year. Save 430 million single-use plastic cups from garbage, of which cold cups account for more than 40%.
Currently, the state is working on a transitional timeline for products banned in the second phase of the plan, including single-use plastic coffee cups, with a phase-out set to begin in February 2023. The state says certified compostable cups and lids are excluded from the ban and are already widely used by businesses. Western Australia's Environment Minister Reese Whitby said many businesses had already completed the transition.
Overall, the bans are expected to phase out a huge amount of single-use plastic each year, including 300 million plastic straws, 50 million pieces of plastic cutlery and more than 110 million thick plastic shopping bags.
Those in need of single-use plastic items, such as those in the disabled, aged care and health sectors, will ensure a continuous supply as businesses have access to compostable single-use options such as lids and cups.
Fast food chain McDonald's has replaced about 17.5 million plastic cold drink cups and lids across McCafe across the state, a first in Australia, reducing the circulation of about 140 tonnes of plastic a year.
Post time: Oct-17-2022
