The Tasmanian Government has committed $1 million over four years to address the impacts of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastics in our environment. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania is working on:
- Ongoing consultation with the community, businesses, and industries on what policy approach is best for Tasmania
- Development of legislation to phase out single-use plastics in Tasmania
- Preparation of an implementation plan, communication, and educational materials
- Development of a business support program.
Which single-use plastic items are being considered for phase out?
The following single-use plastics can be problematic and/or unnecessary, and are being considered as part of a statewide phase out:
Utensils
- Beverage stirrers
- Cutlery
- Drinking straws
Foodware
- Bowls (lidded and unlidded)
- Plates
- Takeaway food containers
- Plastic-lined noodle boxes
Drinkware
- Hot cups and lids (e.g., coffee or soup)
- Cold cups and lids (e.g., iced coffee or bubble tea)
Bags and produce items
- Plastic shopping bags greater than 35 microns in thickness
- Plastic barrier and produce bags (e.g., for fruit, nuts, and vegetables)
- Plastic bread-tags
- Stickers on fruit and vegetables
- Single-serve condiment packages (e.g., fish-shaped soy sauce packages)
Cosmetics
- Microbeads in personal healthcare products
- Plastic-stemmed cotton buds
Party goods and confectionery
- Pizza savers
- Plastic confetti
- Lollipop sticks
- Balloon sticks and ties
- Pre-packaged and attached products (e.g., plastic straws on fruit boxes)
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) items
- EPS fruit and vegetable trays (not business-to-business containers)
- EPS food service containers (e.g., cups and clamshells)
- EPS multi-service gelato containers
- EPS moulded packaging (consumer goods packaging)
- EPS loose-fill packaging
The following EPS items are presently out of scope (not for phase out) for the statewide phase out:
EPS used for business-to-business packaging - includes fresh produce boxes (e.g. seafood and agricultural transport packaging).
Specialist EPS packaging used in medical applications - includes packaging for organ transport, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines where temperature control and sterility are critical.
EPS used in building and construction - includes insulation panels, structural components, and other materials used in construction and infrastructure projects.
Business-to-consumer EPS packaging with an effective reuse model - includes bulk cold home-delivered meal services or other systems where EPS packaging is collected, cleaned, and reused.
Which materials are being considered for phase out?
Single-use plastic items made from the following materials are also being considered for phase out:
Conventional plastic (e.g., made from fossil-based raw materials)
Degradable plastic (fragmentable or oxo-degradable)
EPS
Expanded polyethylene
Expanded plastic (e.g., made from bio-based raw materials)
Plastic-lined fibre-based material used across compostable packaging (including items that are or are not certified compostable to Australian Standards (AS) (AS 5810 or AS 4736).
Why is the government phasing out single-use plastics
The government is phasing out these single-use plastic items and materials because:
There is a national agreement to phase out certain single-use plastic items
They are commonly littered in Tasmania
They significantly contaminate Tasmanian waste management systems
Some items are considered unnecessary, with more sustainable options available
They are already phased out in most other Australian States and Territories.
Exemptions
The government acknowledges that some single‑use plastic items will always be necessary. Single-use plastic straws and cutlery are essential for individuals with certain disabilities and medical conditions, whether for health and safety, hygiene, or accessibility reasons.
