July plastic news – single-use plastic ban

  • 20 Jul 2022

It’s Plastic Free July! This global social movement has a vision for a world without plastic waste. We can all take action to end plastic waste and enjoy a healthy world.

The City of Sydney and the Better Buildings Partnership have taken the pledge to eliminate single-use items.

The NSW Government has also banned:

  • single-use plastic items such as lightweight plastic bags from Wednesday 1 June 2022
  • single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, bowls, plates and other items from 1 November 2022.

Read more about the ban, how this may affect your business, and where to go for resources and support.

Bans for some single-use plastics are in place – or coming soon

These plastic items are banned from 1 June 2022:

  • lightweight plastic shopping bags (35 microns or less)

The 1 June 2022 ban does not apply to:

  • barrier bags that protect unpackaged food such as fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat or fish
  • bin liner bags
  • human or animal waste bags
  • produce bags
  • bags used for medical purposes
  • sealed product packaging bags
  • bags thicker than 35 microns, like the bags you’d find at major supermarkets

These plastic items are banned from 1 November 2022

  • single-use plastic straws and stirrers
  • single-use plastic cutlery
  • single-use plastic plates and bowls without spill-proof lids
  • foodware and cups made from expanded polystyrene (EPS)
  • single-use plastic cotton buds
  • rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads

Single-use plastic straws may be provided from behind the counter to people with disability or medical need by businesses serving food or drinks.

The 1 November 2022 ban does not apply to:

  • single-use plastic bowls with a spill-proof lid
  • serving utensils or serving ware such as tongs and platters
  • pre-packaged items that are integrated into the packaging of a food or beverage product through a machine automated process, such as a straw attached to a juice box, or a bowl containing a frozen meal

What the single-use ban means for your business or tenants

Businesses will no longer be able to supply these items in NSW. It’s important to prepare and know where to go for more resources and support.

See the NSW Government’s resources for businesses. These resources include details on how to prepare for the ban, questions to ask suppliers, and how to inform your customers.  

More information