In 2022, NSW is banning certain single-use plastics. We are making you aware of this so you have time to plan for replacements in canteens, uniform shops and boarding houses and other areas where single-use plastics are in use.

While plastic is a versatile and useful product, it’s increasingly threatening our natural environment. Plastic packaging and single-use plastic items make up 60% of all litter in NSW. The Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021, passed by NSW Parliament on 16 November 2021, sets out the items to be banned in NSW. 

These bans will prevent nearly 2.7 billion plastic items from entering the coastal, marine and bushland environments of NSW over the next 20 years. The legislation also provides a framework that will help transition NSW towards a circular economy where materials and resources are valued and kept in the productive economy, creating jobs and protecting the environment and the community.

Fines and Penalties

Fines may apply if you are supplying a banned item, with a maximum court penalty of 500 penalty units ($55,000) for a corporation and 100 penalty units ($11,000) for an individual. Maximum court penalties are doubled for businesses supplying these items while carrying on a business as a manufacturer, producer, wholesaler or distributor, with penalties of up to 1,000 penalty units ($110,000) for a corporation or 200 penalty units ($22,000) for an individual.

When Does it Apply?

From 1 June 2022, the supply of lightweight plastic bags will be banned in NSW. A lightweight plastic bag is a bag with handles that is 35 microns or less in thickness at any part of the bag and is fully or partly plastic. Lightweight bags made from biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics, or bio-plastics are also banned, including those made from Australian certified compostable plastic.

 The bans do not apply to barrier bags such as:

  • produce bags and deli bags 
  • bin liners
  • human or animal waste bags
  • bags used to contain items for medical purposes.

From 1 November 2022, the supply of single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, bowls and plates and expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service items will be banned in NSW. The supply of single-use plastic cotton buds and microbeads in rinse-off personal care products will also be banned in NSW.


Single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery

The bans apply to single-use plastic straws (see below for exemptions), stirrers and swizzle sticks, and cutlery, including forks, spoons, knives, sporks, splayds, chopsticks, and food picks.

 The bans apply even if these items are made from biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics, or bio-plastics. This includes those made from Australian-certified compostable plastic.

 The bans do not apply to:

  • serving utensils such as salad servers or tongs
  • items that are an integrated part of the packaging used to seal or contain food or beverages or are included within or attached to that packaging, through a machine-automated process (such as a straw attached to a juice box or a spoon included with a yogurt).

Exemptions apply in certain settings to ensure continued access to single-use plastic straws for people with a disability or medical needs.

The exemptions will allow businesses that serve food or drinks, such as cafes and pubs, to provide a single straw from behind the counter on request to people with a disability or medical need. Straws must not be freely available or visible to customers.

Single-use plastic bowls and plates

The bans applies to single-use plastic bowls and plates. The bans apply even if these items are made from biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics, or bio-plastics. This includes those made from Australian certified compostable plastic.

 The bans do not apply to:

  • single-use plastic bowls designed or intended to have a spill-proof lid, such as those used for a takeaway soup.
  • plates or bowls that are an integrated part of the packaging used to seal or contain food or beverages, or are included within or attached to that packaging, through a machine-automated process (such as a plastic plate included in a frozen meal).

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service items

The bans applies to EPS food service items, such as clamshells, cups, plates and bowls.

 The bans do not apply to:

  • EPS fresh produce trays such as those used for raw meat, seafood, fruit or vegetables
  • EPS packaging, including consumer and business-to-business packaging and transport containers
  • EPS food service items that are an integrated part of the packaging used to seal or contain food or beverages, or are including within or attached to that packaging, through a machine-automated process (such as an EPS noodle cup).

More information on the NSW Plastics Ban website.