A ban on single-use plastic items and expanded polystyrene (EPS) products has been welcomed by Queensland’s peak local government body.
Local Government Association of Queensland President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the ban – which will apply from September 1 – was a great environmental outcome for Queensland.
“Local councils have been strong advocates for this ban, including its expansion to include EPS products and we thank the State Government for listening to our concerns and those of other stakeholders,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“Keeping single-use plastic items from littering our waterways and marine environments and reducing a threat to the Great Barrier Reef and its ecosystem is a fantastic outcome for the environment and for our local communities as we strive towards a more sustainable future.
“This ban eliminates a key problem waste stream from council landfills while tackling the management of litter head on.
“Importantly, the laws passed by Parliament provide protections to ensure those Queenslanders who need to access these products for health reasons still can.”
Under the new laws, which were passed with bipartisan support in State Parliament this week, plastic and EPS items like straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, cups and ‘clam shells’ will be banned from the shelves of Queensland retailers.
“This ban is a demonstration of what can be achieved through a meaningful engagement process with the state and councils working in partnership with industry and environmental groups to tackle a significant environmental issue,” Mayor Jamieson said.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Vogler, Media Executive
Local Government Association of Queensland