Plastic has transformed our everyday lives. But the volume of plastic, and its long lifespan, makes it one of our biggest waste problems.
Castaway® Food Packaging supports the single-use plastic bans that are being discussed and enforced around Australia and New Zealand. The Australian Government is taking action through the National Plastic Plan. Their goal is to reduce plastic waste and pollution, and fast track industry’s use of more sustainable product design.
There is currently no overarching federal legislation in regard to reducing plastic use. Yet, the momentum to stop plastic pollution continues to grow.
The challenge is how do we channel it into real system change. Here’s the latest state of play with plastic bans for each state and territory around Australia. 
South Australia’s was the first state to ban on single-use plastics. Legislation
passed in 2020 with a staged ban commencing 1 March 2021, to be completed
1 March 2022. Products included in the ban: 
The ACT Government first flagged its intention to ban single-use plastic in early
2019. Legislation is expected to be passed soon with a single-use plastics ban
introduced on 1 July 2021. Products proposed for the ban: 
Queensland passed legislation to ban a selection of single-use plastics on 11 March 2021, to be effective on 1 September 2021. Products included in the ban: 
Hobart City Council was the first council to pass legislation to ban single-use plastics at takeaway food retailers in March 2020. The City now has a by-law that bans single-use plastics at takeaway food retailers, which will be enforceable
from 1 July 2021. - 1 July 2021: All plastic single-use takeaway packaging. Compostable plastics that are certified home (AS 5810) and industrially (AS 4736) compostable to the Australian standards are exempt from the ban.
- Hobart City Council Single-Use Plastics By-Law
Legislation expected to be passed in February 2022 with a single-use plastics ban introduced in 2023. Products proposed for the ban:
The WA container deposit scheme Container for Change was implemented on 1 October 2020. The Plan for Plastics has been drafted and is expected to be tabled by 2023. Products proposed for the ban: 
The New South Wales remains the only stat to have not legislated a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags. Meanwhile, the NSW Government is seeking feedback on the future plastics in New South Wales and a range of options that
will help shape the development of how we manage waste over the next 20 years. 
Following the successful phase out of single-use plastic shopping bags, the NZ Government has plans to phase out more single-use and problematic plastics to reduce waste and protect the environment through a consultation document
called Reducing the impact of plastic on our environment. Products proposed for the ban: - By January 2023: All polyvinyl chloride (PVC) food and beverage packaging, some polystyrene food and beverage packaging, and all oxo-degradable plastic products
- By January 2025: All remaining polystyrene food and beverage packaging, all expanded (EPS) packaging
- NZ Government National Plastic Plan
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