Takeaway containers and loose produce bags the latest plastic items to be axed under WA’s new plan

Takeaway containers and loose produce bags are the latest plastic items to be axed under WA’s plan for plastics.

The products are set to be replaced by compostable, environmentally friendly alternatives under the State Government’s plan to reduce single-use plastics ending up in the environment.

Items already banned under the plan include plastic takeaway coffee cups, microbeads, polystyrene cups, cotton buds with plastic stems and loose-fill polystyrene packaging.

The next stage of the ban, which takes in single-use plastic takeaway food container lids and loose produce bags, is expected to save up to an additional 226 million single-use plastics from landfill and litter every year.

Spruiking the latest stage of the ban, Environment Minister Reece Whitby on Saturday said WA was leading the nation on the single-use plastics front.

“So many of us have swapped out disposable shopping bags and coffee cups for environmentally friendly alternatives, and I see no reason why we won’t do the same with produce bags and takeaway food containers,” he said.

“Our State has a proud history of reducing plastic waste, and I have confidence the community will welcome this latest step.”

Businesses will have a transition period to work through the changes, and the National Retail Association has been engaged to assist businesses in managing the bans.

Households with the three-bin FOGO system can compost any compliant produce bags.

Beginning in 2021, the phase-out has so far removed hundreds of millions of plastic items from circulation.

It is expected to save up to 1.1 billion items from landfill every year once the plan is fully implemented.

For more information, visit plasticsbanwa.com.au.