Single-use plastic items ban

Queensland has banned the supply of a number of single-use plastic items, under Queensland's plan to tackle plastic pollution. The bans follow strong support from the community, retailers and industry organisations.

Banned items

Items currently banned are:

• single-use plastic straws
• single-use plastic stirrers
• single-use plastic plates and bowls
• single-use plastic cutlery
• single-use expanded polystyrene takeaway food containers and cups
• cotton buds with plastic stems
• expanded polystyrene loose ('peanut') packaging
• plastic microbeads in rinseable personal care and cleaning products.

Helium balloon releases

Releasing lighter-than-air (helium) balloons is also banned. You can still sell, buy, supply or use these balloons as long as they don't escape into the environment.

Shopping bags

Shopping bags made from plastic film must be:

• 35 microns or more in thickness
• made from a minimum of 80% post-consumer recycled content verified by a recognised program or certification
• durable and big enough to carry 10kgs of weight for at least 125 uses verified by a recognised reusability, durability, or endurance test.

Learn more about the single-use plastic items ban, and what you need to know as a retailer.

The 5–year roadmap shows how the Queensland Government plans to continue to work with suppliers, manufacturers and businesses on the inclusion of additional single-use plastic items in the ban.

Preparing your business

If you own or operate a business that uses banned items, you cannot provide banned items to your customers.

If you are a supplier, distributor or wholesaler of banned items, you may continue to supply to a business if you have a reasonable belief they are an exempt business.

Read more about how the ban is being enforced.

Exemptions

What your business can do now

As a business owner/operator, firstly identify if you still need to provide banned items to your customers, and if so, find out what are suitable alternatives. If you have excess stock, you may also wish to contact your supplier to find out about their returns policy.

The Queensland Government, in partnership with the National Retail Association (NRA), is working with retailers and suppliers to ensure they understand and comply with the single-use plastic items ban, including options to manage excess stock.

Visit the Queensland single-use plastic items ban website for more information or phone 1800 844 946.

Also consider...

• Learn more about the plastic bag ban in Queensland.