The Victorian government is launching the next phase of its landmark ban on single-use plastics which is set to roll out at the beginning of February.
Starting on 1 February, single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, cotton bud sticks, and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers will no longer be allowed for sale and supply in Victoria.
The latest measure follows the Labor government’s ban on plastic shopping bags in 2019 and a $515 million investment aimed at transforming the state’s waste and recycling system, diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfills by 2030.
These reforms have resulted in thousands of new jobs created in recycling and manufacturing spaces and increased the state’s recycling capacity and end-products found from recycled materials.
In line with the measures, Victoria will move to a standardised four-stream bin system designed to help households easily sort their waste and boost their recycling efforts.
Households will also have access to a container deposit scheme, which will maximise the return of used drink cans, bottles, and cartons for recycling.
Since the ban was announced in 2021, the government has delivered $595,000 in grants to 15 pilot sites.
“We are taking action to protect Victoria’s environment and reduce pollution by banning single-use plastic items and supporting businesses to switch to reusables instead,” said Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt.
“Plastic pollution has significant impacts on our health, wildlife, and the environment. This single-use plastics ban is a crucial step to protect Victoria’s rivers, waterways and oceans from plastic pollution,” the minister added.
