How to get ready for WA’s single-use plastics ban

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

How to get ready for WA’s singleuse plastics ban

MGA WA Director and IGA Fresh Roleystone store owner Ross Anile and MGA CEO Jos de Bruin are members of the WA Single-Use Plastics Item Ban Task Force. Both attended a meeting on the 13th July 21 and after that to discuss the bans and how the bans could be phased out so as not to disrupt members businesses.

MGA’s role is to represent WA members to assist the WA Government in implementing its environmental strategy and mitigating any risk of further costs or burdens being placed upon members businesses. The singleuse plastic item bans will take place in 2 stages—stage 1 by the end of 2021 and stage 2 in 2022.

It has come to light that thick plastic bags used by members to assist customers at the registers who have forgotten their recyclable and reusable bags will now also be banned for use by the end of 2021.

The WA Department for the Environment has said that banning these plastics is an important step towards a more sustainable future, which is important for WA and the planet as a whole. Small businesses need to plan for this ban’s impacts on their operations if they have traditionally relied on disposable plastic products to serve their customers.

Here is a quick guide to some of the changes coming - and what you can do to get your business ready.

What are “single-use” plastics?

Single-use plastics are plastic items that are designed to be thrown away after one use and can’t be recycled.

What will be included in the stages of the plan?

Stage one of the plan, to be completed by the end of 2021, will see plastic shopping bags (thick), plates, bowls, cutlery, stirrers, straws, cups, polystyrene takeaway containers and helium balloon releases banned in WA.

Stage two of the plan is set to be completed by the end of 2022. This includes a ban on single-use plastic takeaway coffee cups and lids, produce bags, certain types of cotton buds, polystyrene packages and microbeads.

How to manage the impact on your business

from bamboo, hard cardboard, natural or recyclable materials - or you may be able to introduce reusable alternatives.

Look at your previous wins. Adjusting to changes and new regulations is part of running any business - it just takes time to plan ahead and then to adjust to the new changes.

Members’ businesses have already adapted to the plastic bag ban and container deposit schemes, and members can take a similar approach to now removing “thick” single-use plastics from your business.

There’s no doubt that single-use plastics have been convenient and cheap to provide - but now it’s time to focus on a more sustainable future.

Being more environmentally friendly in your business provides benefits for your customers, which can positively impact your business in the longer term.

There are many more sustainable options available once you start exploring single-use plastic alternatives. Some products are made