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South Australia's Single-Use Problematic Plastics Legislation

SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S REPLACE THE WASTE ACT & LEGISLATION EXPLAINED

Updated: July 2024

 

South Australia has been a national leader in sustainability and was the first state to enforce a ban against single-use plastic lightweight checkout style bags in 2009.

SA was also the first state to roll out statewide bans against additional single-use plastic products. 

As of 1 March 2021, there are a range of single-use problematic plastic products which are prohibited for use in South Australia. 

Find below overview of South Australia's Replace the Waste Legislation & Key Dates.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA SUPP'S LEGISLATION - KEY DATES & OVERVIEW

Stage 1: 1 March 2021

Banned items included in this stage:

  • Single-use plastic straws, cutlery & stirrers
  • This includes traditional or bio-plastic alternatives

Exempt items from this stage:

  • Reuseable and plastic-free compostable alternatives such as wooden or bamboo cutlery
  • Health and disability exemptions apply for single-use plastic straws.

Stage 2: 1 March 2022

Banned items included in this stage:

  • Expanded polystyrene cups, bowls, plates, and clamshell containers
  • Oxo-degradable plastic products such as bin liners, bubble wrap, padded envelopes.

Exempt items from this stage:

  • Not Applicable

Stage 3: September 2023

Banned items included in this stage:

  • Plastic-stemmed cotton buds
  • Single-use plastic bowls and plates - exemption note below
  • Plastic pizza savers.

Exempt items from this stage:

  • Where single-use plastic bowls are required for medical, scientific, forensic, or law enforcement purposes only.
  • Single-use cardboard or fibreboard bowls and plates that are lined with or coated with plastic.

Stage 4: 1 September 2024

Banned items included in this stage:

  • Phase out of non-handled plastic barrier bags (used for produce, nuts & confectionary) and thic supermarket or boutique-style bags containing plastic
  • Plastic food bag tags
  • Expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food and beverage containers (including gelato tubs, cake boxes and meat & fruit trays)
  • Single-use plastic food containers including bowls, cups, containers, and trays with lids when used for takeaway food prepared for sale and consumption on the same day
  • Single-use plastic cups for all hot and cold beverages and their attachments - includes Bulk Packs
  • Plastic confetti & balloon sticks

Stage 4: 1 September 2024 - Continued

Exempt from this stage:

  • AS certified compostable plastic barrier and shopping bags which are clearly labeled
  • Exemption until 31 August 2029 applies for a plastic food bag tag used to hold 2kg or more of potatoes or carrots
  • AS certified compostable food containers including bowls, containers, trays, and their lids when used for takeaway food prepared for sale and comsumption on the same day
  • AS certified compostable hot and cold beverage cups & their lids
  • Food and beverage containers which have pending AS Certification or are certified to ASTM D6400 or EN13432
  • Labelling requirements for AS certified compostable food and beverage containers exempt until 28 February 2026
  • Plastic-lined or plastic-coated lids used with aluminium foil food containers used for ready-to-eat food
  • Single-use plastic transparent square or rectangular food containers with a detachable transparent lid, both of which are made wholly from polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) exempt until 31 August 2029. 

Stage 5: September 2025

Banned items included in this stage:

  • Non-AS certified compostable plastic labels affixed to produce (fruit and vegetables) for sale in South Australia
  • Pre-filled plastic soy sauce containers (including soy sauce fish containers)
  • Removal of exclusion for straws and cutlery attached to or contained in a food or beverage product
  • Removal of exclusion for expanded polystyrene (EPS) cup and bowl packaging

Exempt items from this stage:

  • There will be a 3-year temporary exemption until 31 August 2028 for: Plastic produce stickers certified compostable to ATSM D6400 (US Standard), EN 13432, TUV OK compost INDUSTRIAL or TUV OK compost HOME as a transitional solution.

DOWNLOAD SUMMARY OF AU & NZ SUPP's BANS

Banned item means it is prohibited from sale, supply, or distribution in the related state/region. All overview information and proposed dates are provided as guidance only and can change without notice. Always refer to the official Country or State Specific legislation documents for current changes and dates.

Sustainable packaging from Detpak ahead of single-use plastic bans in South Australia

Detpak worked with packaging distributor Northland to help them prepare for upcoming bans.

"To assist our customers in preparing for stage two SA single-use plastic bans, we introduced a range of sugarcane and board packaging from Detpak. The packaging helped us service a variety of needs across cuisines, while also providing more sustainable options."
Keith Ryan - Northland Distributors

LEARN ABOUT NORTHLAND

Your sustainable options

ECO-PRODUCTS® 24/32/40oz PLA FLAT NOODLE SUGARCANE BOWL LID

Item: V020S0064

AUD 126.15* / Carton (400) | AUD 0.32 EA

REGULAR SNACK ENDURA BOX

Item: M274S0001

AUD 68.65* / Carton (200) | AUD 0.34 EA

REGULAR SNACK ENDURA BOX

Item: M274S0010

AUD 42.24* / Carton (200) | AUD 0.21 EA

BURGER ENDURA BOX

Item: M458S0010

AUD 37.69* / Carton (250) | AUD 0.15 EA

FAMILY DINNER ENDURA BOX

Item: M304S0010

AUD 49.40* / Carton (100) | AUD 0.49 EA

#1 ENDURA TRAY

Item: M393S0010

AUD 45.38* / Carton (500) | AUD 0.09 EA

#2 ENDURA TRAY

Item: M384S0010

AUD 39.05* / Carton (240) | AUD 0.16 EA

#3 ENDURA TRAY

Item: M279S0010

AUD 49.63* / Carton (400) | AUD 0.12 EA

#5 ENDURA TRAY

Item: M467S0010

AUD 28.16* / Carton (100) | AUD 0.28 EA

SA Legislation Explained

South Australia is a national leader in sustainability and was the first state to enforce a ban against single-use plastic lightweight checkout style bags in 2009. SA was also the first state to roll out statewide bans against additional single-use plastic products, with legislation coming into effect from 1 March 2021.

Items already banned

From 1 March 2021:

  • Single-use plastic cutlery
  • Single-use plastic straws and beverage stirrers
  • This includes items made from fossil fuel origins and plant extract (PLA or CPLA).  

From 1 March 2022:

  • All plastic products labelled ‘oxo-degradable’
  • Expanded polystyrene (EPS) food and beverage service items 

Items proposed to be banned

From 1 September 2023:

  • Single-use plastic bowls and plates
  • Plastic stemmed cotton buds
  • Plastic pizza savers

From 1 September 2024:

  • Plastic produce bags
  • Thick supermarket bags
  • Other EPS consumer food and beverage containers
  • EPS trays
  • Single-use plastic cold cups and lids
  • Single-use plastic coffee cups and lids
  • Plastic confetti
  • Plastic balloon sticks
  • Plastic bread tags
  • Single-use plastic food containers and lids
Hand holding single-use plastic straws at the beach.
RecycleMe cup with paper endura straw.

From 1 September 2025:

  • Plastic fruit stickers
  • Plastic soy sauce fish
  • Pre-packaged and attached products 

Exemptions

Individuals with a disability or medical need for using plastic straws are exempt from the ban.

Enforcement & Penalties

The Environment Protection Authority will enforce the legislation in South Australia.

Find out what penalties apply in South Australia, here.

 

Head back to the Single-use Problematic Plastics in Australia home page, here.

Contact us about moving to Towards 2025 compliant packaging, here.

Browse our range of legislative compliant packaging, here.

Note: information provided is current as at 10 February 2023 and is subject to legislative changes. 

LOOKING TO UNDERSTAND LEGISLATION IN YOUR AREA?