Say goodbye to more pesky plastics

Stage 2 items will be phased out from 27^th Feb 2023 to give businesses the chance to use up stocks. Enforcement dates will vary depending on the type of products.  

This includes:  

Loose polystyrene packaging

Such as packing peanuts. Enforcement of the ban will start on 1^st September 2023.

Degradable plastics‍

These are plastics designed to break up more rapidly into fragments under certain conditions, such as dry-cleaning bags and wrapped newspapers or magazines. Enforcement of the ban will start on 1^st September 2023.

Produce bags  

Plastic bags in the produce departments of shops and supermarkets will also be banned. There will be a transition period of 12 months before the rules are enforced to allow businesses to use up supplies and source alternative products.

Exceptions:

• ‘Barrier’ bags will still be allowed to meet food hygiene standards and avoid contamination from products like raw meat and fish, and deli items such as cheese and sliced meats including ham and salami.
• Produce bags supplied by bakeries or for the sale of loose baked goods.
• Produce pre-packaged off the premises (e.g., grape bags).

How to buy fruit and veg without using plastic

Coffee cups and lids  

Any which cannot be composted will be phased out and enforcement of the ban will start on March 1^st, 2024. Most outlets will change over to certified compostable alternatives for takeaway hot drinks, but taking your own reusable coffee cup is an even better alternative.  

In the meantime, here's how you can recycle your takeaway coffee cups

Cotton buds with plastic stems

Believe it or not, lots of cotton buds are flushed down the toilet, and the plastic stems are not broken down or screened by wastewater treatment plants and end up in oceans and waterways. Enforcement of the ban will start on 1^st September 2023.

Exceptions include:

• Cotton buds or swabs that make up part of a testing kit, for example rapid antigen test.
• Applicators that are pre-packaged as part of a set, such as in a make-up kit.

Single-use cotton buds made with compostable stems (e.g., bamboo, cardboard or sugarcane) are widely available, so this shouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience!

Microbeads

Some rinse off personal care, cosmetic and cleaning products contain microbeads; they are washed away into the wastewater system, making their way into our oceans and waterways, posing a risk to wildlife. Enforcement of the ban will start on 1^st September 2023.

This includes:  

• Rinse-off products including shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, hairsprays, gels, creams, pastes, face, hand and body cleansers and scrubs.
• Oral hygiene products including toothpaste, mouthwash, and tooth whiteners.
• Cleaning products. Clean with vinegar instead!

Exceptions include:

• Wipe-off products such as sunscreen and make-up
• Leave on personal care products such as moisturiser, deodorant, makeup and lipstick.  
• Craft glitter  

For a full list of items and more details, have a look at the government fact sheets:

Fact Sheets - Stage 2 single use plastics ban

Or visit

Stage 2 single use plastics ban

And while we’re talking plastic, here are a few things you may want to avoid, as they  contain hidden plastic  

Source: wa.gov.au

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