Single-use plastics ban for councils: Questions and answers

Below you will find questions we have received about the Single-use plastics (SUP) ban and our responses.

Compliance

What is the role of each government agency in delivering the SUP ban?

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has developed and published the SUP ban regulations. They are also responsible for delivering state-wide SUP ban communications and engaging with those impacted by the ban including the hospitality sector, SUP manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers.

Sustainability Victoria (SV) is focusing on increasing the uptake of reusables and supporting DEECA in communicating the ban to hospitality businesses.

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) will manage compliance from 1 February 2023.

How will the SUP ban be enforced?

From 1 February 2023, it will be an offence to:

• sell, supply, distribute or provide banned single-use plastic items in Victoria
• provide false or misleading information on the composition of banned items.

Penalties will apply to both offences.

Penalties do not apply to the provision or supply of items for the 5 circumstances listed as exemptions.

Enforcement and compliance activities will be the responsibility of the EPA.

Non-compliance can be reported to the EPA from 1 February 2023. Use the reporting pollution form, email contact@epa.vic.gov.au or call our pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.

For more information visit: Single-use plastics ban.

Exemptions

Does the ban apply to expanded polystyrene (EPS) food boxes for the transport for bulk fruit, vegetables, and seafood?

No, EPS for food transport is not part of the SUP ban. View the full list of banned items.

Does the ban include standard plastic takeaway containers most food premises use?

No, these items are not included in the SUP ban. View the full list of banned items.

Lots of vendors use bio-plastic clear cups at festivals and events, will these items be banned?

These items are not included in the SUP ban. Check out Sustainability Victoria’s ‘Reuse solutions for events – Masterclass’ to make your next event sustainable.

Stock management

What if there is leftover stock come 1 Feb 2023? What should be done with that?

Businesses and organisation should get ready for the ban now by running down stocks of banned items now to avoid a surplus from February 2023 onwards. Avoid purchasing single-use plastic items that are to be banned.

If you have stock of banned items that you will not sell or use before February 2023, speak to your supplier as they may accept returns or exchanges. You can also contact a local recycler to see if they can accept any of your items.

Can the paper/wood/bamboo replacement products go into FOGO bins or only landfill?

In many cases, the single-use alternatives to the banned plastic items (e.g., wooden cutlery or paper straws) cannot be recycled or composted given their size, so they will need to be disposed of in the general waste. However, we encourage you to check with your local council or waste service provider to confirm this based on the exact make-up of the item.

For more information visit Single-use plastics.

Resources

Business engagement

How will you educate businesses of alternative options?

The NRA is undertaking direct engagement with packaging suppliers and distributors, as hospitality businesses rely on their suppliers for information on alternatives and ensuring they are compliant.

For the 20% of businesses concerned about increased costs, is there a Victoria case study showing that reusables can be cost-neutral and won't lose customers?

Through Sustainability Victoria’s Reuse Pilots Fund program, projects will be collecting data on items saved and the cost savings by switching to reusables vs disposables; the outcomes of these pilots will be shared.

Are there factsheets about the ban to inform community groups?

All resources developed by DELWP, can be accessed at Single-use plastics resources. These resources can be shared with local community groups and businesses.

If you want to encourage community groups to increase reusables, SV resources can be accessed at Single-use plastic ban resources and info on Accepting Reusables at your business, which may also benefit community groups.

Will Victoria have an advice line for businesses and how long will it be available?

Yes, DELWP have engaged the National Retailers Association (NRA) to support business engagement. The NRA will be engaging with a broad range of businesses directly and indirectly through a range of channels, this includes manufacturers, suppliers and retailers.

They will be visiting more than 3,000 businesses across Victoria and hosting weekly information sessions every Friday at 11am until the 27 January.

Register for an information session.

Hotline: 1800 844 946
Email: sustainability@nra.net.au

The hotline and email will be available to businesses until the 1 August 2023.

What will the free advertising include and how do businesses get involved?

Organisations such as BYO Container, Responsible Cafes and Plastic Free places and many others promote sustainable businesses on their websites. It is often free for businesses to sign up on these websites and be included in their listing or interactive maps.

Will the list of businesses engaged by SVs 3 contractors be shared with the LGA, to coordinate business engagement?

Yes, SV is more than happy to share the list of businesses. If you’d like access to this information to support your business engagement for the SUP ban, please email your request to plastics@sustainability.vic.gov.au

Assets

Do you have translated resources around the SUP ban?

Yes, DELWP has translated resources in 14 languages. These can be accessed at Single-use plastics ban translated resources.

Sustainability Victoria has also developed some resources for businesses to communicate to their customers that reusables are welcome. View the resources in additional languages.

Are there other assets available apart from posters, such as social media tiles and newsletters?

Yes. DELWP has concise newsletter and website content, and social media tiles and content that can be provided to councils. Contact the single-use plastics team at Sup.Policy@delwp.vic.gov.au for more information.

For councils who want to learn more about mug libraries you can check out the following resources:

• Boomerang Alliance - How to start (and manage) a mug library.
• Waste Wise Mornington Peninsula – Guide to reusable cups and containers.
• Surf Coast Shire’s Responsible Café program success story - Surf Coast Shire launches reuse program for coffee cups.

Other

How did you offer the rebates and vouchers in South Australia?

Rebate: Applicants submit evidence (i.e., invoice) of using the food organics collection service within their application. If the application is approved by Council, the applicant would receive your rebate via electronic bank transfer.

Voucher: If the application is approved by Council, the applicant would receive a unique voucher code via email and information about the next steps on how to use your voucher. Successful applicants are contacted by their chosen supplier to complete the product order. The supplier then submits the invoice to Council for review and payment. All products are sent directly to the café.

For more information, visit the City of Adelaide’s Rundle Mall Public Place Organics Recycling Pilot Business Incentives Program.