Ban on single-use plastic and polystyrene items comes into effect in Victoria

A ban on a range of single-use plastic and polystyrene items comes into effect in Victoria today.

NSW introduced a similar initiative two months ago.

Single-use drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, cotton bud sticks and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers are now banned across Victoria.

However, single-use plastic items which are part of food or drink packaging, such as a straw on the side of a juice box or a single-use plastic spoon included in a yogurt tub, will be allowed for another three years.

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People who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to a disability or for a medical need can also still buy and use these items.

Single-use plastics currently make up a third of Victoria's litter, which pollutes waterways and harming wildlife, according to the government.

It announced the ban would be coming back in February 2021, and has given $595,000 in grants to catering businesses, universities and aged care facilities since to help them replace their single-use items with reusable alternatives.

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The move comes are single-use plastic shopping bags were banned in Victoria in 2019.

NSW's ban on the same single-use plastic and polystyrene items came into effect on November 1.

But the up north ban goes slightly further, also including microbeads in personal care products like face and body cleansers, exfoliants and masks.

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