The NSW Government has released NSW Plastics: The Way Forward – a plan to reduce problematic and single-use plastic. The proposal focusses on:
Reducing highly littered plastic items.
Eliminating harmful chemicals and microplastics.
Aligning with other states and territories for improved outcomes.
The AFGC seeks feedback from members on the proposed actions. Actions with direct impact to members is summarised in the table below.
Proposed actions with direct impact to members
Reduce Plastic Litter
By end 2025
By end 2027
By end 2030
Phase out plastic lollipop sticks
Explore options for transparency in litter data and consider publishing brand data
Consider litter reduction targets for brands of highly littered plastic items
Require anti-littering labels and the ARL on single-serve condiment packages
Require single-serve condiment packages to be recyclable, supported by a co-design roadmap for circularity
Require plastic lids to be tethered to return and earn-eligible plastic bottles <600ml, and coordinate with other states and territories to ensure CDS across Australia accept them
Reduce Harmful Chemicals
By end 2025
By end 2027
Phase out the supply of plastics with pro-degradant additives (oxo-, photo-, and landfill-degradable plastics)
Phase out plastic microbeads from all cleaning products
Publish a green list of chemicals for food packaging that can be used below certain thresholds
Publish a red list of chemicals for food packaging with a proposed phase out within specified timeframes
Support increased chemical testing capacity for packaging in NSW
Introduce a voluntary chemical certification and labelling scheme for food packaging, to be made mandatory in five years
Keep pace with plastic action
By end 2025
By end 2030
Adopt WA’s approach to phase out the supply of food trays, loose-fill packaging, and moulded or cut packaging made of expanded and foamed plastic
Require plastic shopping bags to be stored out of sight at the point of purchase and only provided on request, unless they are clearly designed for reuse or are part of an EPR scheme for plastic recycling
Phase out the supply of plastic food tags for bread, bakery and dry pantry items, with a temporary exemption for plastic tags for produce until end 2029
Member feedback request
The AFGC invites members to provide feedback on the proposed actions, including:
Scope, timings and exemptions
Potential benefits and risks
Alternative options that should be considered by the NSW Government
The NSW EPA will be hosting an information session on Monday, 30 September, at 11:00 am to discuss the upcoming expiry of exemptions to the NSW single-use plastics bans. Members are encouraged to register for the webinar here.
