Stage 1
Stage 1 of WA's Plan for Plastics bans started on January 1st, 2022, with two transition periods.
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From October 1st, 2022, it became illegal to provide open plastic cups for cold drinks.
From July 1st, 2022, it became illegal to provide:
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Plastic shopping bags with handles.
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Disposable plastic items like straws, stirrers, and cutlery.
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Expanded polystyrene (EPS) food containers and trays.
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Disposable plastic foodware without lids, including plates, bowls, and food containers.
Balloon releases into the air are also now banned.
Stage 2
Bans started on March 1st, 2023, with different enforcement dates until 2025 to allow businesses time to comply.
From September 1st, 2023, it became illegal to supply:
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Expanded plastic packaging (loose fill polystyrene).
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EPS (polystyrene) cups and EPS trays for meat and seafood.
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Degradable plastics.
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Disposable cotton buds with plastic stems.
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Microbeads in rinse-off personal care, cosmetic, and cleaning products.
From March 1st, 2024, it will be illegal to supply:
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Disposable plastic produce bags for fresh, unpackaged fruits and vegetables.
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Disposable coffee cups and all plastic cup lids.
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Disposable plastic trays for takeaway or eat-in food.
From September 1st, 2024, it will be illegal to supply:
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Disposable plastic lids for bowls, trays, and containers used for takeaway or eat-in food.
Exclusions include:
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Reusable produce bags made from plastic fabrics like polyester or nylon.
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Barrier bags needed for food hygiene and to prevent leaks from products like raw meat and fish.
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Barrier bags provided in delis that sell dairy items such as cheese, sliced meats, ham, and salami.
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Produce bags provided by bakeries or for the sale of loose baked goods.
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Pre-packaged produce (e.g., grape bags).
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Bags sold on store shelves.
There is still lots of plastic packaging on supermarket shelves, so here are some ways you can avoid it when shopping.
