South Australia to Consider Banning Single-use Plastics
The South Australian Government is considering banning single-use plastic products such as straws and cutlery. Environment Minister David Speirs will launch two discussion papers today seeking the views of South Australians on single-use plastics as well as expanding the container deposit scheme.
The aim would be to reduce the environmental impact from litter, improve recycling rates and reduce oil dependence.
Among other things, the paper, called “Turning the tide on singleuse plastic products”, suggests state laws could also be used to ban single-use plastic products in a similar way to the 2009 lightweight plastic bag ban.
“Similar legislation could be developed to provide a flexible and long-term framework that enables bans on various single-use plastic products, with varying timeframes and impact assessments,” it said. The plastic bag ban and the container deposit scheme, which was introduced in SA in 1977, came well ahead of similar schemes interstate.
The paper on the container deposit scheme asks whether other cans and bottles — such as for wine and plain milk — could also attract a 10cent refund.
Mr Speirs said the paper would maintain SA’s position as a leader in litter reduction.
“And also to look at what is categorised under our container deposit legislation — I think there is scope to include wine bottles there. “I think we should have a serious discussion about it with consumers and industry and I look forward to hearing what South Australians have to say about this.”
Proposal welcomed by environment group Conservation Council of SA chief executive Craig Wilkins strongly welcomed the review.
He said the amount of waste thrown out every year was still increasing.