Australia - Proposed Law to Reduce Packaging and Certain Plastic Products
A Senate Bill has been introduced in the Commonwealth of Australia to establish a mandatory stewardship scheme for packaging and certain single-use plastic products. The Bill includes the following proposals:
Prohibition of certain plastic products
There is a plan to prohibit the manufacture, import, distribution or use for commercial purpose of some products from the respective dates:
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Date
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Products to be prohibited
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1 January 2021
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1. Lightweight carrier bag
2. Products containing microbeads
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1 January 2023
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1. The following single-use plastic products:
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a) Sets of connected rings to hold things (e.g. six pack rings)
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b) Cotton buds
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c) Sticks for balloons
2. The following single-use non-compostable plastic products：
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a) Straws* and stirrers (* This shall not apply to straws for persons with disability ｗｈｅｒｅ straws provide convenience and reduce the potential for harm.)
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b) Cutlery and kitchen utensils
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c) Plates, bowls and other dishes
3. Single-use food/beverage containers made of or contain expanded polystyrene
4. Single-use products made of or contain oxo-degradable plastic
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Labelling requirements
From 1 January 2021, packaging of sanitary products, wet wipes, balloons and filter tips of cigarettes are to be labelled prominently that the product is harmful to the environment if the product is released or incorrectly disposed.
Other provisions
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The bill includes various targets for product packaging. A certain percentage of packaging shall be reduced/recycled/composted by 2025.
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Container caps and lids shall be attached to beverage containers from 1 January 2023 to reduce the likelihood of being littered and entering the marine environment.
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Manufacturers, importers and distributors of packaging, or users of product packaging for other commercial purposes, whose annual turnover was $5 million or more in the previous financial year shall provide a written report to the Minister on:
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a) Actions taken or not taken to help achieve the packaging and plastic targets during the reportable financial year
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b) Actions that will be taken to help achieve the targets
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c) Information about the actions taken or not taken in compliance with any scheme requirements
Note:
“Packaging” includes:
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(a) A container, wrapper, confining band or other thing in which a good is packed, or 2 or more goods are packed; and
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(b) Anything around which a good is wound or wrapped, or 2 or more goods are wound or wrapped; and
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(c) A container that is designed to contain a liquid for human consumption (whether for the purposes of transporting or storing the liquid, or for the use or consumption of the liquid).
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