A nationwide ban on particular single-use plastics will take effect by 2025, and it's time for businesses in the shire to start preparing for the changes now.
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Through its National Plastics Plan 2021, the Australian Government will next year begin to phase out a range of plastic packaging products and expanded polystyrene.
This will help reach its target for all packaging to be either reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
Businesses in Eurobodalla and across the nation will need to find alternatives to things like:
- lightweight plastic bags;
- plastic products misleadingly termed as 'degradable';
- plastic straws;
- plastic utensils and stirrers;
- polystyrene food and drink containers;
- polystyrene packaging;
- microbeads in personal health care products.
Since 2019, Eurobodalla Council's We Care program has helped local businesses find practical ways to decrease plastic waste.
Many businesses are ahead of the game having already made the switch to more eco-friendly solutions.
We Care project officer Alex King said the program could help local businesses take practical action ahead of the ban, including using up stocks of single-use plastic items.
"It's a great idea for business operators to start preparing now, and the good news is, we're here to support them through this transition," she said.
"We can provide free package samples and work one-on-one with business operators to try and find suitable alternatives within budget from their normal suppliers."
Ms King said the ACT ban on single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and bowls would come into effect this July, with a second tranche of plastic items set to join the list in 2022.
"It's great to see residents and businesses from the ACT working hard and fast to remove plastics from their community and we know there will be a growing expectation for other businesses they frequent to do the same," she said.
"Our local and broader community are driving this change, and businesses by their very nature will need to respond to consumers, who will vote with their feet."
At next week's Sea Solutions on the Clyde event, council will showcase eco-friendly products available from local suppliers.
This will take place from 9.30am on Tuesday, June 8 at the Clyde Street Foreshore, Batemans Bay.
In the meantime, Eurobodalla businesses wanting more information about how they can help reduce single-use plastics and access free samples can contact Alex King on 0417 953 014 or email alexandra.king@esc.nsw.gov.au.
