8 August 2023

Queensland's ban on the supply of single-use plastic items started on 1 September 2021.

The single-use plastic items ban is part of Queensland's plan to tackle plastic pollution and follows strong support from the community, retailers and industry organisations.

Banned items

Banned single-use items are:

• single-use plastic straws
• plastic stirrers and swizzle sticks
• plastic plates
• unenclosed plastic bowls
• plastic forks, spoons, knives, splayds, chopsticks, and food picks
• expanded polystyrene (EPS) takeaway food containers
• expanded polystyrene (EPS) cups.

Expanding the ban

Community, industry and business consultation has shown strong support to expand the ban of single-use plastics. As a result, the following single-use plastic items will be banned from 1 September 2023:

• cotton buds with plastic stems
• expanded polystyrene loose packaging
• plastic microbeads in rinseable personal care and cleaning products
• heavyweight plastic shopping bags
• mass release of lighter than air balloons.

A proposed 5–year roadmap has been prepared to show how the Queensland Government plans to continue to work with suppliers, manufacturers and businesses on the inclusion of additional single-use plastic items in the ban, including single-use takeaway coffee cups and lids.

This will provide industry and businesses with an opportunity to provide feedback regarding supply chain challenges, sourcing suitable alternatives and timeframes, and prepare for future actions.

Visit the single-use plastic items ban website for details on consultation opportunities for extending the ban.

Preparing your business

If you own or operate a business that uses banned items (e.g. restaurants, cafes, takeaway food shops, party suppliers, supermarkets), you will not be able to provide these to your customers after the ban commences.

If you are a supplier, distributor or wholesaler of banned items, you may continue to supply to a business if you have a reasonable belief they are an exempt business.

Read more about how the ban is being enforced.