Single Use Plastics Ban

The Victorian Government is banning single-use plastics from sale and supply from 1 February 2023. This includes drinking straws, cutlery and plates, drink stirrers and sticks, cotton bud sticks and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers.

Items made from conventional, degradable and compostable plastics, including bioplastic and oxo-degradable materials, will also be included in the ban. The ban will affect retail and hospitality businesses, suppliers and other businesses, organisations and not-for-profits such as hospitals, sports clubs and schools.

To help support businesses the Victorian Government will host weekly one-hour Q&A sessions every Friday at 11am until 1 February 2023. These online sessions are for retailers, hospitality, suppliers, manufacturers, or other businesses impacted by the ban to pop in, ask questions and clarify their obligations. Sessions are held via Zoom. All resources and sessions are free. Find out more.

Businesses and organisations affected by the upcoming ban can begin to prepare now by planning ahead, considering options and alternatives to single use plastics, and informing their team and customers. There are many great reusable options and alternative single use items to be considered. Get ideas from Sustainability Victoria.

Other options are:

• B-Alternative – helps reduce the footprint of festivals and events through reusable cutlery, crockery and glassware.
• Green My Plate – supplies reusable plates and bowls as well as wash stations and staff to events, venues and schools.
• Better Cup – works with all types of hospitality customers to deliver reusable solutions.
• Wash Against Waste – a Mount Alexander Sustainability Group initiative reducing the amount of waste generated at community events, servicing Castlemaine and surrounds.
• Waste Against Waste - a Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group initiative servicing Macedon Ranges and surrounds. 

To get ready for the ban, here are some useful resources:

• Masterclasses for reuse | Sustainability Victoria - This masterclass showcases how to implement a reusable system at events. Presenters from B-Alternative, Green My Plate and Green Music Australia explained set-up processes and challenges, and gave helpful tips on making events successful.
• Top tips to prepare your hospitality business - useful for food operators at events.
• Accepting reusables and reuse solutions
• Free posters to help you communicate to your customers

Further resources

Victorian Government

Sustainability Victoria

Get ready for plastics ban

Accepting reusables and reusable solution

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