Starting from 21 October, the National Retail Association will hold weekly Q and A sessions every Friday at 11.00am.

These sessions are open to all impacted businesses to ask questions about the ban and how to prepare.

From 1 February 2023, the following items are banned in Victoria:

• Single-use plastic drinking straws and stirrers
• Single-use plastic cutlery
• Single-use plastic plates
• Single-use plastic cotton buds
• Food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene
• Compostable plastic or ‘plant-based’ plastic alternatives are also banned.

Manufacturers of reusable plastic items will need to supply a written warranty (or similar written representation) of at least 1 year.

Help for businesses

The National Retail Association has been engaged by the Victorian Government to hold free information sessions to assist businesses to understand, manage and comply with the ban. The NRA team are specialists in plastics bans across Australia, and the implications of these bans for businesses.

Pop in sessions

These weekly online ‘pop-in’ sessions (every Friday) are for retailers, hospitality, suppliers, manufacturers, or other businesses impacted by the ban to ‘pop in’, ask us questions and clarify their obligations.