Good news about single use plastics

The blight of plastic pollution is a frequent reminder of our throw-away convenience culture. But in Victoria at least, the end is near for the pesky large and small single-use plastic items.

From February 2023, the state government is banning from sale or supply items such as single-use straws, cutlery, plates, drink-stirrers, expanded polystyrene food and drink containers and cotton bud sticks.

Apart from the immediately obvious reasons to get rid of these items from our community, did you know that many single-use plastic items are difficult and economically unviable to recycle? They often contaminate recycling efforts by getting mixed up with things that can be recycled and can easily be avoided or replaced with reusable products. Not only will the ban reduce landfill, marine and land based plastic pollution but a ban will reduce greenhouse gas emissions through stopping manufacturing of the products in the first place.

The government is working with industry and local government in the lead up to the ban. The transition will take some adjustment for many who will need to source alternatives.

There is detailed information on government policies around this including some FAQ documents for anyone wanting to know more.

Hopefully by the time the babies of today are adults, the idea of sipping a drink through a plastic straw will be seen as a folly of careless times past.

Written by Amanda Tattam