Non-compostable coffee cups will be banned throughout Western Australia in the state’s latest step away from single-use plastics and lids.
The bans – part of the second stage of WA’s nation-leading Plan for Plastics – will be implemented with a common-sense, education-first approach to enforcement, with the WA state government working closely with retailers and consumers to ensure the community can support the changes.
Plan for Plastics has already led to 430 million fewer single-use plastics going to landfill or litter annually in WA. It is expected the plan’s second stage will save an additional 700 million single-use items annually, with hot beverage cups accounting for more than 154 million of these items per annum.
Compostable paperboard cups, certified to Australian composting standards, are excluded from the ban, while lids must be entirely plastic free.
“Western Australians want and expect a single-use plastic free future, with many driving the change by using their own reusable cups when they go to buy their morning coffee,” said WA environment minister Reece Whitby.
“This ban complements the bans on cotton buds with plastics shafts, degradable plastic and microbeads that have already been implemented in WA.
“The state government will continue to work with retailers and the community to ensure that the changes are well understood and implemented successfully.”
Extensive consultation on the plan’s second stage was undertaken with businesses – many of which are supportive of the changes and are already using environmentally-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics.
The Boomerang Alliance and National Retail Association, in partnership with the WA state government, will help businesses adapt to these bans through the WA Plastic Free Places program, with targeted retail and supplier support to also be made available.
