The Tasmanian Government has committed to phasing out a range of Problematic Single-Use Plastics (PSUPs) to:
From 20 August 2024, Tasmanians have six weeks to have their say on the proposed PSUP phase out plan. The public consultation for the proposed phase out plan will close on 1 October 2024.
Visit the PSUP web page to make a submission.
About the plan
The single-use plastic items proposed for phase out in Tasmania include:
- Drinking straws, beverage stirrers, cutlery
- Lidded and unlidded bowls, plates
- Food containers, plastic-lined noodle boxes
- Shopping bags, barrier and produce bags
- Single serve condiment packages (e.g. sauce sachets)
- Plastic soy sauce packets (e.g. fish-shaped)
- Hot beverage cups and lids (e.g. coffee cup)
- Cold beverage cups and lids (e.g. smoothie cup)
- Microbeads in personal health products, cotton buds
- Balloon sticks and ties, plastic confetti
- Lollipop sticks, pizza savers, bread tags, fruit stickers
- Polystyrene packaging (loose, moulded, multi-service gelato containers and fruit and vegetable trays)
The items are proposed to be phased out over two stages, with feedback on the timing to be considered during the legislation development.
It is estimated that 160 million single-use plastic items are used in Tasmania each year, these plastics can take hundreds of years to break down.
While single-use plastics are cheaper they:
The 2023-24 Tasmanian Statewide Litter Survey found that plastic packaging made up 45 per cent of the rubbish counted.
With a range of industries using plastic packaging, including polystyrene, we acknowledge that this proposal will mean change. A full cost-benefit analysis will be carried out prior to legislation being drafted and businesses are also encouraged to provide feedback. The Government has also committed $100,000 to support businesses transition away from single-use plastics.
In the interim, Tasmanian businesses can help reduce single-use waste by using reusable items such as washable dining options.
The general community can play their part to reduce single-use waste by choosing alternatives such as reusable coffee cups, lunch containers and utensils.