Have your say on single-use plastics review

The legislation details the phase out approach to banning single-use and other plastic products in South Australia.

How to give feedback

LGA would like to hear from you about what is working well, what is not working, and what could be done to improve the effectiveness of the current legislation, regulations and behaviour change education campaign.

A discussion paper and suite of questions has been prepared to assist councils in formulating a response.

To inform LGA’s response to the review:

• read the discussion paper
• read the Act
• read the Regulations
• provide comments to the discussion questions
• send comments to Brianna McGee, Senior Policy Officer.

Feedback must be received by 5pm Friday 27 September 2024.  

Read more by visiting the YourSay website.

About the legislation and key changes

Since the Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act commenced, there have been three stages of product phase-outs. Two more stages are scheduled for 2024 and 2025.

1 March 2021

Single-use plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers were prohibited from sale, supply or distribution in South Australia, with some exemptions for single-use plastic straws.

1 March 2022

Expanded polystyrene cups, bowls plates and clamshell containers were prohibited from sale, supply or distribution in South Australia, and oxo-degradable plastic products were prohibited from manufacture and production in the state.

1 September 2023

Single-use plastic bowls and plates, plastic-stemmed cotton buds and plastic pizza savers were prohibited from sale, supply and distribution in South Australia.

1 September 2024

Plastic barrier bags, thick supermarket and boutique-style plastic bags, EPS consumer food and beverage containers, plastic confetti and plastic balloon sticks/ties, plastic bread tags, single-use plastic beverage containers (including coffee cups), and single-use plastic food containers will be banned from sale, supply and distribution in South Australia.

1 September 2025

Plastic fruit stickers, plastic soy sauce fish, and pre-packaged and attached products will be banned from sale, supply and distribution in South Australia.

Sector input into single-use plastic legislation

LGA has provided feedback and comment on this legislation through formal written submissions and ongoing participation in Green Industries SA’s project reference group, the Single-use plastics Stakeholder Taskforce.

Throughout this process, we have sought feedback from councils. This feedback has highlighted:

• Grant programs should be created to support councils, businesses and the community to invest in strategic infrastructure. Support should be offered to help business processes which align with the purposes of the legislation and promote waste avoidance and improved disposal practices.
• Exemptions should be in place for councils in relation to single-use plastics where needed in certain circumstances, for example when managing animals in insolation, food inspection purposes and use in scientific testing kits.
• Communications to make businesses aware of their responsibilities under the legislation should be led by the state government. Councils may choose to support local businesses and promote the changes to the community.
• Councils should be able to sell or supply single-use plastic straws to people with a disability or medical need as required.
• Waste avoidance should be promoted through the Replace the Waste campaign and correct post-use disposal of alternative products incorporated.

Find out more

Further information about the independent review can be found on the YourSAy website.

LGA has provided resources councils can use to prepare for single-use plastic changes coming into effect on 1 September.