In 2021, The Tasmanian Government committed $1 million over four years to address the impacts of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastics in our environment. This includes:
the scoping of a policy approach
development of legislation
support for businesses throughout, and after, the transition.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania will continue to consult with the community, businesses, impacted sectors, and industry on implementing the phase out.
Single-use plastic items considered for phase out
The Government is investigating a range of single‑use plastics identified as problematic and/or unnecessary for consideration as part of a statewide phase out. Single-use plastic items in the following categories are currently being investigated for phasing out in Tasmania:
Utensils: Drinking straws - Beverage stirrers - Cutlery
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 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
Cosmetics: Microbeads in personal healthcare items - Plastic-stemmed cotton buds
Party goods and confectionary: 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) packaging: EPS loose fill packaging - EPS moulded packaging (consumer goods packaging) - EPS fruit and vegetable trays - EPS food service containers - EPS multi-service gelato containers
EPS items presently out of scope for the proposed phase out in Tasmania include:
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.
Materials considered for phase out
Single-use plastic items made from the following materials have also been identified as a priority to 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 or fibre-based material used across compostable packaging that is not certified compostable to Australian Standards (AS) 5810-2010 or AS 4736-2006
Why is the government phasing out single-use plastics
The government is phasing out these single-use plastic items and materials because:
they are set for a national phase out from 2025
they are commonly littered in Tasmania
they significantly impact Tasmanian waste management systems
some are considered unnecessary and we can adapt without them
they are already banned in most other States and Territories.
Exemptions
The Government acknowledges that some single‑use plastic items will always be necessary. Single‑use plastic straws and cutlery are necessary for those with certain disabilities and medical conditions, whether that is for health and safety, hygiene or accessibility reasons.