Prepare now for the Single-Use Plastic Items Ban

The Victorian Government has released Regulations to ban single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink-stirrers, cotton bud sticks, and expanded polystyrene food service items and drink containers in Victoria from 1 February 2023. The Regulations outline the scope and details of the ban and can be accessed here, with further information available at www.vic.gov.au/plastics.

Free resources are available, including a new factsheet, poster, and postcard, for councils, local businesses and other organisations to use to understand the new obligations under the ban. These can be downloaded here. Translated resources will be available soon. Councils are encouraged to use and display these resources in council offices and other council facilities, and share them with local businesses and organisations including sporting clubs, community groups, markets, festivals and events.

Sustainability Victoria is holding a free webinar on Thursday, December 1 at 10.30 – 11.30 am to inform Victorian councils about the upcoming single-use plastics ban and how councils can support local businesses and the community. The session will be of particular interest to Council Officers, Coordinators, Managers, Executives and others working in economic development, sustainability, waste, and community engagement. Registration is available here. For more information about this masterclass, please contact plastics@sustainability.vic.gov.au.

Support for local businesses

The Victorian Government has engaged the National Retail Association to help businesses understand and prepare for the upcoming ban. The NRA will visit 3000 businesses across Victoria and provide the following services for businesses:

Free business information sessions are being held every Friday at 11am between now and February 2023. These sessions are designed for all businesses (of any size or type) to ‘pop in’, ask questions, receive practical advice, and see what other businesses are doing. Businesses can register for a session here. Councils are encouraged to promote these sessions through local business networks and channels.

Businesses can also call the toll-free hotline on 1800 844 946 or email: sustainability@nra.net.au if they have any further questions about preparing for the ban.

Join us in reducing the use of single-use plastics, to reduce plastic pollution in Victoria.