Plastics have become a part of everyday life. They are inexpensive, convenient, and used in many applications. However, many single‑use plastics either end up as litter or landfill.
In 2019, the WA Government provided the opportunity for input on a range of items and options to pursue from 2024. The Government received over 9,400 submissions which indicated strong support for reducing the impacts of single-use plastics through a range of approaches, including bans, product design, waste infrastructure, and widespread education.
On 13 June 2021 the State Government announced it was fast-tracking Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics.
The fast-tracked Plan for Plastics includes:
- Stage 1 ban - commenced 1 January 2022, with enforcement from 1 July 2022 for most items.
- Stage 2 ban – commenced 1 January 2023, with enforcement from 1 July 2023 for most items.
Input on the Stage 1 ban was sought via information sessions in August 2021 and an advisory group consisting of environmental, community, and industry stakeholders.
The Stage 1 ban commenced 1 January 2022 with bans on supply enforceable by 1 July 2022 (and 1 October 2022 for cold cups).
The Stage 2 ban commenced 1 January 2023.
The Stage 2 ban includes disposable plastic items such as: produce bags, coffee cups, lids for food and drink containers, polystyrene packaging, microbeads, cotton bud sticks, and oxo-degradable additives. Opportunities to provide input and feedback on Stage 2 were provided in 2022.
The WA Government is implementing strategies to reduce the impacts of single-use plastics, including bans on problematic plastic items.
From 1 July 2022 WA businesses can no longer supply:
- Any plastic shopping bag with handles
- Paper shopping bags with plastic laminate
- Disposable plastic straws and stirrers
- Disposable plastic cutlery
- Disposable plastic plates
- Disposable plastic bowls without lids
- Disposable plastic food containers without lids
- Expanded polystyrene food containers and trays
From 1 October 2022 WA businesss can no longer supply disposable plastic cups for cold drinks.
The ban applies to:
- conventional plastics made from fossil fuels, as well as plant-based plastics (limited exemptions apply)
- items made of plastic in whole or part (including linings, coatings and laminates)
- items sold or given away
- items supplied individually or in packets
The ban does not apply to:
- items prepackaged offsite in food or beverage products (eg. straw attached to juice box)
- items intended for supply outside WA or business-to-business transport
- plastic straws provided in certain situations for people with a disability or healthcare need
Balloon releases were also banned from 1 July 2022, however balloons are not banned.
Fines of $5,000 per offence apply.
Reusable cups, plates and cutlery, reusable containers for takeaway food, reusable straws (e.g., silicon, metal), reusable shopping and fresh produce bags, and reusable party decorations (e.g., bunting). There are so many reusable options sold in local stores and online. The City of Cockburn offers a free Community Eco-Party Kit containing reusable serveware and decorations for 30 people. For further information, please visit the Community Events Guide and Support webpage.
The War on Waste Toolkit 2023 is a great resource to help you reduce the amount of waste you produce.
The ban applies to all businesses and organisations which operate in WA.
Visit the WA Plastic Ban website for information on how to prepare your business.
For further information and contact, visit the WA Plastic Ban website.