SA to ban plastic straws

PLASTIC cutlery, straws and drink stirrers are to be banned in South Australia, with draft legislation expected to be released for public discussion this year.

Environment Minister David Speirs says he hopes to introduce laws banning the single-use items into the South Australian parliament next year.

The state will later move to ban polystyrene cups and polystyrene takeaway containers, but no decision has been made yet on plastic bags, coffee cups and plastic takeaway containers.

“SA is continuing to lead the nation and set the agenda in recyclables and waste management,” Mr Speirs said.

“We led the way with our container-deposit scheme, we were ahead of the pack on plastic bag reform and now we will lead the country on singleuse plastics.”