Are you sure?
Are you sure? If you change your country now, any items you have added to your quote will disappear.
Your location
Please set your location to see relevant stock levels. Freight costs and taxes will be calculated once you log in.
Note: changing your location will empty your cart.
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.
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.
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.
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