In response to the government’s release of the discussion paper Turning the tide on single-use plastic products (the discussion paper) a stakeholder taskforce has been established to inform the development of legislation to phase-out single-use plastic products and other single-use items. It consist of representatives of selected business, industry, local government and interest groups to ensure that impacts are addressed and enough time is given for transition. The discussion paper was released in January 2019 and following six weeks of consultation received more than 3,500 submissions.
The discussion paper sought feedback from the community and businesses on how we can better protect our natural resources and the environment from impacts associated with single-use plastic products. There is significant community and industry support for increased measures to address a range of single-use plastic products and other items.
The majority of respondents are seeking government to take the lead. A report summarising consultation is available here. Acknowledging the strong sentiment amongst the community and the results from the broad consultation, the government intends to develop legislation that phases-out single-use plastic products and other single-use items. Click here to read the Next Steps document.
This will see certain products such as plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers being phased-out at first whilst further products are considered for future intervention.
The members of the Government’s single use plastics task force include:
- Australian Food and Grocery Council
- Australian Hotels Association (SA)
- Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation
- Conservation Council SA
- Environment Protection Authority
- Green Industries SA
- KESAB environmental solutions
- Local Government Association of SA
- National Retail Association
- JFA Purple Orange (disability advocates)
- Restaurant and Catering Industry Association
- SA Independent Retailers
- Waste Management Resource Recovery Association (WMRR)
- Woolworths Group
For further information: Alana Potts, Green Industries SA
