By Dominique Tassell
Locals are prepared for the single-use plastics ban to come into effect on 1 September, but some have raised concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding the ban.
The Queensland Government’s ban on the supply of single-use plastic applies to straws, stirrers, plates, bowls, cutlery, expanded polystyrene takeaway food containers, and cups.
Banned items can no longer be used by restaurants, cafes, takeaway shops, party suppliers, supermarkets, not-for-profit organisations and places of learning.
However, there are exemptions for clinics or facilities that provide care to persons with disability or healthcare needs such as aged care facilities, palliative care facilities, hospitals, pharmacies, and dental and medical clinics.
A staff member at The Coffee Club in Warwick says that the restaurant is fully prepared for the ban to come into effect.
“We just have approved cutlery,” she said.
She said she was pleased about the ban, and thinks it will have a positive effect.
“We use suppliers we know are environmentally sustainable,” she said.
The government is relying on their “education first” approach to spread awareness of the ban, but not all locals think they’re being clear enough.
A local importer, supplier and manufacturer of packaging says the ban is an example of “greenwashing”, where consumers are led to believe something is better for the environment than it really is.
They referenced the single-use plastic bag ban, stating that consumers now just pay for a thicker plastic bag every time they shop that takes even longer to break down in the environment.
They also stated that the influx of “environmentally-friendly” products aren’t as beneficial to the environment as consumers would like to believe, and compostable products contaminate recycling waste and end up contributing to landfill.
They also stated that not all states have the ability to compost these products, and the emissions from transporting them to suitable facilities should be considered.
The use of chemicals on these products also needs to be discussed, they said.
“Renewable products are seen as being a better option for the environment but they have a higher carbon footprint, health effects, and create landfill,” the local supplier said.
They said that the introduction of new materials to the market does not help the way consumers think it does, and we should return to paper, glass, and plastic for the most effective way of helping to reduce waste.
