What are single-use plastics?
Single-use plastics are items designed to be used once and then thrown away, like plastic straws, cutlery, and takeaway containers. Single-use plastic items may also be classed as problematic and/or unnecessary.
What are problematic single-use plastics?
These single-use plastic items are problematic because they are difficult to collect and recycle, and they often contaminate other recoverable resources. They are prone to becoming litter and can contain hazardous chemicals or additives that break down into polluting microplastics, posing a threat to both environmental and human health.
What are unnecessary single-use plastics?
Unnecessary single-use plastics can be avoided without compromising on consumer needs, for example, in most cases plastic beverage stirrers or pizza savers are unnecessary. These items can often be easily replaced with sustainable alternatives.
Why is the Tasmanian Government phasing out single-use plastics?
To protect our environment and community, the government is taking action to phase out certain single-use plastics. These items are a problem in Tasmania, where they are frequently littered and often contaminate our recycling and waste systems. This is part of a nationwide effort to reduce plastic pollution, and it follows the successful phase out of these items in most other Australian states and territories. By encouraging the use of readily available and more sustainable options, we can create a cleaner and healthier Tasmania.
What does phase out mean?
For Tasmania's phase out this means making a new law and regulations that will see certain problematic and/or unnecessary single-use plastics gradually removed and restricted from most consumer settings.
Which single-use plastic items are being considered for phase out?
View the full list of single-use plastic items being considered for phase out.
Which materials are being considered for phase out?
View the full list of single-use plastic items that are being considered for phase out.
Will this phase out include other single-use plastic items or materials?
No. This phase out will only consider those items listed.
When will these single-use plastic items and materials be phased out?
The Tasmanian Government is committed to a statewide phase out of certain problematic and/or unnecessary single-use plastics. The phase out will commence once legislation has passed through the Tasmanian Parliament. The phase out will occur in stages, with the first stage including items that are already phased out in other states and territories and where there are existing alternatives.
Who will the phase out apply to?
Once the legislation takes effect, the phase out will apply to any business, manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler or distributor in Tasmania that sells, supplies or distributes the phased out single-use plastic items and materials.
Will there be exemptions for certain items?
The Tasmanian Government acknowledges that some individuals and organisations, such as aged-care homes, rely on certain single-use plastic items for safety and accessibility, like plastic straws. The legislation will provide for exemptions for those who still require access to any restricted items.
Will support be provided to businesses to make change?
The Tasmanian Government is committed to supporting businesses to adopt alternative sustainable items and to prepare for the phase out. Further support will be provided through education and guidance from the government before and after the implementation phase.
Who will be responsible for compliance when the phase out begins?
The Tasmanian Government adopts a risk based and educative approach to compliance and enforcement. It is proposed that NRE Tas will be responsible for compliance and that an implementation plan will be informed by consultation with key stakeholders.
How will the single-use plastic phase out affect businesses?
To understand the impact to businesses, a full cost-benefit analysis in the form of a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) is currently being prepared. This will inform the government how legislation and regulations can be structured to minimise impacts on business.
The government has also committed to providing a business support program to assist businesses with the phase out.
Do sustainable alternative items cost more than single-use plastics?
There are many Tasmanian businesses, like cafes, markets and festivals who have already moved away from supplying single-use plastics. As single-use plastics phase outs are implemented across Australia, the market for sustainable alternatives is becoming more competitive with lower costs. There are also potential long-term savings for communities across Tasmania through reduced spending on plastic clean-up and waste management.
What ways can we all tackle single-use plastics?
Many Tasmanians have already reduced their use of single-use plastics. You can reduce single-use plastics in your workplace and at home by:
- Using a reusable coffee cup for your morning coffee.
- Using a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing bottled water.
- Adopting reusables in your business, especially for food and beverage service.
- Eating in for a meal instead of takeaway. If unavoidable, bring a reusable container for takeaway, or purchase food in plastic-free packaging.
- Taking a reusable bag when shopping.
Check out the following case studies, How Tasmanian Businesses are Cutting Down on Single-use Plastics, for inspiration on how you can reduce single-use plastics.
Further information how you can adopt sustainable practices can also be found on the ReThink Waste website.