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Queensland gets ready for plastics ban
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon
With just over a month to go, businesses across Queensland are getting ready for Queensland’s ban of single-use plastics.
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the Palaszczuk Government was teaming up with Australia’s peak retail body the National Retail Association (NRA) as well as the Boomerang Alliance for a travelling roadshow to make sure businesses and community groups were ready for the shift to more sustainable products.
“Half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once, ending up in landfill and harming our environment,” Minister Scanlon said.
“Plastic pollution is spoiling our streets and parks, escaping into our ocean and waterways and killing our iconic wildlife,” Scanlon said. “Half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once and then thrown away and that litter is destroying our environment.”
Last week the federal government launched a national plastics plan that includes a phase-out by 2022 of expanded polystyrene packaging and food containers.
Queensland’s ban covers single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates, and polystyrene food containers and cups.
The laws exempt supply to people who need any of those items, such as people with disability or healthcare needs.
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