The Greens are calling on the Tasmanian Government to follow South Australia’s lead and introduce a full ban on single-use plastics.
It comes after South Australia sensationally announced its ban on fish-shaped plastic soy sauce containers last week, as part of its prohibition of single use plastics which include bans on plastic straws and cutlery.
“Single-use plastics make up a third of the waste in our streets and waterways, doing untold harm to our wildlife,” said Greens Waste Spokesperson Helen Burnet.
“Plastic entanglement and ingestion kill birds, mammals and other marine animals. The full extent of health impacts from the use of plastics on Tasmanians is still unclear.”
South Australia implemented its initial single-use plastics ban in 2021 and has progressively added items to the prohibited list.
Other states and territories have either established bans or committed to timeframes for implementation.
Former Tasmanian Environment Minister Roger Jaensch had committed to banning single-use plastics by the end of 2023, but nearly two years later, progress remains stalled.
“The Liberals must move forward on their commitment to banning single use plastics,” Burnet said, pointing to the City of Hobart’s successful bylaw that has already diverted nine million plastic items from landfill.
Minister for Environment Madeleine Ogilvie defended the government’s approach, saying trials have been conducted in select government facilities to inform broader implementation.
“The government is working to develop a roadmap and legislation to deliver on our national commitment to phase-out certain single-use plastics with the consultation report to be published soon,” Ogilvie said.
She added that a regulatory impact statement due later this year will support consultation on a draft bill.
