Proposed 2023 Single-use and Other Plastic Products amendment regulations
We want to hear your feedback on the proposed regulations to ban 4 additional single-use plastic products from 1 September.
What's being decided?
The decision regarding the additional single-use and other plastic products to be banned in the next 3 years has been made. The bans will be implemented in 3 stages, with the first bans commencing on September 1, 2023.
The draft regulations for the first stage of the ban, which outline the products to be banned and the proposed exemptions, have been drafted and public feedback is being sought.
We want to hear your feedback on the definitions of the banned products and the proposed exemptions, including if there may be any potential unintended consequences from the draft regulations (for example, the banning of a plastic product giving rise to the use of other non-banned plastic products).
Background
In early 2022, South Australians were asked to provide feedback on Turning the Tide on Single-use Plastic 2021. Based on this feedback, the Deputy Premier Hon Susan Close MP announced South Australia’s staged next steps for banning single-use and other plastic products over the next 3 years.
Four additional single-use plastic products will be banned from September 1, including:
- plastic pizza savers
- plastic-stemmed cotton buds
- single–use plastic bowls without lids for food and beverages
- single-use plastic plates for food.
This requires a variation to the regulations under section 6(1)(h) of the Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 to prescribe additional prohibited items.
Key stakeholders and the general public are being asked to provide feedback on the draft regulations, including the proposed exemptions.
Get involved
Find out more by:
- reading the Act and regulations to understand what is being amended
- reading the explanatory note and the amendment regulations
- reading the FAQs.
Have your say by:
- providing your feedback via the survey
- emailing a written submission to GISA.sup@sa.gov.au
- posting a written submission to:
Single Use Plastic Regulations Consultation
Green Industries SA
PO Box 1047
ADELAIDE SA 5000
What are the next steps?
Green Industries SA will consider the feedback to finalise the proposed draft regulations and will share a summary on this site.
Individuals who provide a formal submission on the draft regulations will be notified via email of the outcomes of the consultation process.
The revised draft regulations will be submitted for approval prior to being gazetted, with a view to the new regulations coming into effect on 1 September.
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Consultation outcome
Thank you for your interest in the future of single-use plastics in South Australia.
Consultation on Green Industries SA’s (GISA) Proposed 2023 Single-use and Other Plastic Products amendment regulations was open from 1 to 28 February 2023.
Following the consultation period, a review of all submissions received was undertaken.
Based on the feedback received, some minor changes were made to the final regulations.
These changes include:
- a revised definition of plastic-stemmed cotton buds, to reflect that it does not include a product that has a tip or tips designed to be detached from the stem and replaced
- clarification around the retail supply of cottons buds as part of a first aid kit, or another kit used for medical, scientific, law enforcement or forensic testing such as a COVID-19 RAT kit
- clarification around why EPS plates and bowls have not been exempted
- reinstatement of the exemption for single-use plastic spoons for medical, dental and healthcare facilities for clinical use only.
The feedback provided throughout the consultation has been collated into a summary report which provides additional information and the government’s response to the various issues raised.
These regulations have now been finalised and will come into operation on 1 September 2023.
For further information about the upcoming bans and the associated exemptions, visit the Replace the Waste website.
Once again, GISA thanks the individuals and organisations for their feedback and suggestions.
