The Essentials

Why are further items being phased out?

Designed to be used just once, and then thrown away, many single-use plastic items are part of the growing issue of plastic waste and pollution.

When disposed of irresponsibly (littered) conventional plastic items do not naturally break down in the environment, they may persist for hundreds of years or break down into fragments causing harm to the environment. Single-use plastics often end up in landfill as they cannot be economically recycled. By definition, these items are not designed or intended to be reused.

The ban is part of Queensland’s plan to tackle plastic pollution and follows strong support from the community, retailers and industry organisations.

Who does the ban apply to?

All organisations must stop supplying banned items in Queensland.

Types of organisations include:

• Retailers and service businesses (such as food outlets, supermarkets, markets, pharmacies, events, and online stores)
• Manufacturers and suppliers (such as packaging suppliers, product brands and online marketplaces)
• Not-for-profit and government organisations (such as community groups and charities)

Balloon release restrictions will apply to all individuals.

Distribution centres supplying to customers outside Queensland are not included in the ban, though businesses should check for similar bans in other jurisdictions.

IMPORTANT: Under the 2021 ban, some organisations were considered exempt from the ban. These exemptions still apply to items previously banned but DO NOT APPLY to the 2023 ban.

Exempt organisations under the 2021 ban only

Only the following were exempt organisations and can continue to supply the items which were banned in 2021:

• clinics or facilities that provide care to persons with a disability or healthcare needs;
• hospitals;
• dental clinics;
• medical clinics;
• pharmacies;
• aged care facilities;
• medical suppliers; and
• manufacturers/ distributors which supply to these organisations.

Some limited exemptions apply under the 2023 ban, please see each item for any applicable exemption.

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Which items are banned?

The same rules apply to items supplied to customers, regardless of whether they are supplied in packets or loose, or whether they are free or sold.

Please see detailed information on each item here >

2025 Removal of shelf-ready exemption

Until the end of 2025, a single-use plastic item that is an integral part of a shelf-ready food and beverage product is not a banned single-use plastic item.
Examples—

• a straw attached to a juice box
• a fork included in a pre-packed salad
• a spoon attached to a yoghurt container
• a plate forming part of a frozen meal

This exemption will end by 31 December 2025.

2023 BAN

Plastic shopping bags which do not meet TWO additional requirements

• The ban applies to shopping bags made from plastic film which do not meet existing thickness requirements PLUS two additional requirements.
• The ban does not apply to bags without handles used for produce, waste bags, nappy bags, or other types of packaging such as bread bags. The new requirements do not apply to bags made of synthetic fabrics or other materials.

Expanded polystyrene loose-fill packaging

• The ban applies to loose-fill packaging (such as ball or peanut shape pieces) made from expanded polystyrene (EPS).
• The ban does not apply to EPS that is part of a product and not used as packaging, or EPS packaging which is moulded, or used as a sheet or film.

Plastic cotton buds

• The ban applies to cotton buds with plastic stems.
• The ban does not apply to plastic cotton buds used for scientific, medical or forensic uses (such as antigen tests or first aid kits).

Plastic microbeads

• The ban applies to plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care and cleaning products.
• The ban does not apply to products that are not designed to be rinsed off or removed with water immediately or shortly after application (e.g. deodorant, makeup). It also does not apply to plastic products that are not defined as microbeads (such as craft glitter).

Balloon releases

• The ban applies to any person who causes/permits the release/escape of a lighter-than-air balloon into the environment.
• Important: the sale, supply or use of balloons is not banned.

2021 BAN

Single-use plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers

• The ban applies to single-use plastic straws, stirrers, swizzle sticks, forks, spoons, knives, sporks, splayds, chopsticks and food picks.
• The ban does not apply to serving utensils, or items included in shelf-ready pre-packaged food and beverage items (e.g. a straw attached to a juice box).

Single-use plastic bowls & plates

• The ban applies to unenclosed single-use plastic bowls or plates, including those made from expanded polystyrene.
• The ban does not apply to bowls or plates in shelf-ready pre-packaged food and beverage items (e.g. bowls in frozen meals), servingware, or other takeaway containers (e.g. sushi containers, triangle sandwich containers, or bowls and containers with lids).

Expanded polystyrene takeaway food containers & cups

• The ban applies to single-use takeaway food containers and cups made from expanded polystyrene (EPS).
• The ban does not apply to EPS trays (like those used for raw meat, fruit or vegetables), EPS business-to-business transport containers, or EPS in shelf-ready pre-packaged goods.

COMPOSTABLE PLASTICS

Alternatives made from compostable, biodegradable, degradable, renewable, or bio-based plastics are not allowed as replacements for most items in the 2023 ban. This includes plastic items with composting certifications.

Certified compostable plastic shopping bags are allowed if they pass the existing thickness and reusability tests, but do not need to contain 80% recycled content if they are completely made from certified compostable plastic film.

Compostable plastic items can still harm wildlife and the environment in the same way conventional plastic items do if they are littered. Most compostable plastics require extended periods of time or processing at a special composting facility in order to break down.

When ordering alternatives, ask your supplier to confirm in writing that the items do not contain any form of plastic polymer, including compostable plastic or bioplastic. Logos, labelling or product claims are not proof of compliance.

MANAGE STOCK

We recommend that businesses stop ordering banned items now, check your stock ranges and look at ways to use up existing stock before the ban commences.

If you have excess stock, you can:

• Check with your supplier as they may accept returns or exchanges of unopened stock.
• Contact a local recycler to see if they can accept any of your items.

You cannot supply banned stock in QLD after 1 September 2023, even if you purchased it before this date.

INFORM YOUR TEAM & CUSTOMERS

Help your staff and customers prepare for the ban and inform them of the changes you have decided to make. You may want to distribute the factsheet to your supplier network or display signage to help inform customers.

From the ban date, banned items cannot be sold, supplied or provided free of charge, even if they were purchased beforehand.

Using an education-first approach, the Queensland Government, through the National Retail Association, will work with organisations to ensure they understand the ban and their obligations.

From the ban enforcement date, a business may face a maximum fine of 50 penalty units for each of the following if they:

• supply a banned single-use plastic item, or
• provide false or misleading information to another person about a banned plastic item.

Any person can report a suspected breach via the online reporting form or the hotline (1800 844 946). Random spot checks will also be undertaken.

What help is available for businesses?

To assist businesses, the National Retail Association is providing a range of resources and services:

• Visiting thousands of stores across Queensland to provide resources and advice
• Providing a tollfree hotline for businesses to call for advice
• Providing regular online information sessions
• Providing suite of materials, signage and resources, including translated information available here
• Running a post-ban program to further help retailers to comply and resolve any issues
• Continuing to provide industry feedback to the Queensland Government

To see what other retailers are doing to prepare, check out our Instagram here.