Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. There is no additional cost to you whatsoever.
In a bid to deal with air pollution and environmental harm, Queensland has develop into the second state after South Australia to go bans on single-use plastics.
From September 1 this 12 months, the availability and sale of disposable plastic cutlery, plates, straws and expanded polystyrene takeaway meals containers and cups will probably be banned within the state, making it unlawful for companies reminiscent of eating places, cafes, takeaway meals retailers and supermarkets from offering disposable gadgets. Plastic gadgets which are 100% compostable and meet Australian Standards are exempt from the ban in addition to certain businesses reminiscent of pharmacies, dental clinics and amenities that present incapacity care, aged care and healthcare.
This choice comes on the again of overwhelming response indicating widespread neighborhood assist for the federal government to take motion on single-use plastics.
“In March 2020, we requested Queenslanders to resolve the way forward for single-use plastic gadgets and the overwhelming majority had been in favour a ban,” stated Meaghan Scanlon, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef in a press statement. “The neighborhood’s sentiment is evident, with 94% of the 20,000 respondents supporting the proposal to ban single-use plastic gadgets.”
Considering the pressures positioned on companies by COVID-19, the federal government has pushed the ban begin date from July 1 to September 1. “This will permit companies and the hospitality trade time to supply applicable merchandise and additional session to happen,” stated the Minister
This plastics ban comes on the again of different state-wide initiatives already carried out to curtail plastic air pollution reminiscent of its container refund scheme and the ban on the availability of light-weight, single-use plastic buying baggage.
Queensland is house to among the world’s most stunning pure locations together with 5 World Heritage listed websites reminiscent of the biggest sand island on this planet, Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics in far north Queensland, thought of the oldest constantly surviving tropical rainforests on earth. Nicknamed the Sunshine State for its heat climates, golden seashores and tropical islands, tourism performs a vital position within the state’s financial system.
Related Post: 12 Tips for a Zero Waste Picnic and Plastic-Free BBQ
According to the federal government’s discussion paper ‘Tackling plastic waste: Queensland’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan‘, round 800 species worldwide, together with 77 Australian species, are impacted by plastic air pollution and 70% of lifeless loggerhead turtles within the state had been discovered to have ingested plastic. The authorities’s plastic ban goals to scale back the quantity of plastic that enters the setting to scale back stress on ecosystems, wildlife and human well being.
While seven out of ten Queenslanders are taking steps to reduce their use of single-use plastics when away from house, greater than half of the state’s waste nonetheless results in landfill with the quantity of waste produced rising sooner than its inhabitants. In addition, Queensland constantly information increased litter charges than the Australian common.
Recommending studying:
Cover picture of the pristine waters of Whitehaven Beach in Queensland’s Whitsundays by Calvin Shelwell.
