NSW Environmental Protection Agency NSW Government
 

Information for businesses

Businesses have an important part to play in tackling plastic pollution. The EPA will work closely with businesses of all sizes to smooth the transition to new requirements under the NSW Plastics Plan 2.0.

We will provide guidance and support to businesses to help them identify and switch to more sustainable alternatives as new requirements are phased in.

In the meantime, businesses can contact the 24-hour NSW Environment Line on 131 555 or email [email protected] for more information.

Transition plan

  1. November 2025

    Following an extensive, multi-stage consultation process, the NSW Government has released the NSW Plastics Plan 2.0. The plan signals the actions the NSW Government will take to reduce plastic waste in landfill and in the environment. 

  2. 2026

    The NSW Government will introduce legislation and make regulations under the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021 to give effect to new requirements. As part of the regulation-making process, the EPA will consult further with businesses and industry on the details of the new requirements and what support businesses need to make the transition.

  3. Transition period

    Long transition periods have been built into the actions set out in the NSW Plastics Plan 2.0. These transition timeframes have been informed by valuable feedback received from businesses during the consultation process about what they need to be able to use up their existing stock and adjust their supplies. 
    During the transition periods, the EPA will work with industry, peak bodies, and other government agencies to provide support, education, and resources to minimise impacts on businesses and help them identify and adopt sustainable alternatives.

  4. From late 2027

    The first phase outs of single-use plastic items are expected to commence in late 2027. As new requirements are phased in, the EPA will look to encourage businesses towards compliance through education and information before considering stronger approaches such as warnings, notices, and fines.

Frequently asked questions

Were businesses involved in the consultation on the NSW Plastics Plan 2.0?

Yes. The NSW Plastics Plan 2.0 was informed by extensive consultation, including two rounds of public engagement where we heard from thousands of stakeholders – including businesses, community, and environment groups.

We also held workshops and had one-on-one conversations with environment groups and representatives from across the supply chain, including manufacturers, suppliers and retailers, and the waste and recycling sector.

We received valuable input from stakeholders, including small to large businesses that operate across the plastics supply chain and the industry bodies that represent them, to inform the actions and timeframes in the plan.

We spoke to businesses of different sizes and industry bodies, including businesses who supply and use items that we plan to regulate. These items have been chosen only where alternatives are available.

How will the NSW Government support business to transition to the new requirements under the NSW Plastics Plan 2.0?

In 2026, the NSW Government will introduce legislation and make regulations under the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021 to implement the changes, including phase outs.

This will involve further consultation with business and industry stakeholders on the details of the new requirements in the first half of 2026. The consultation will help us identify what kind of support will be most useful for businesses, including considering exemptions for small businesses, if needed.

Phase outs of single use plastic items will commence from late 2027. We have built in long transition times to help business owners exhaust existing stock, identify and adopt sustainable alternatives, and reduce any financial and operational impacts.

As the new requirements are phased in, the EPA will be supporting and informing businesses, helping them identify and switch to more sustainable alternatives.

When do the new requirements come into effect?

The NSW Government has adopted a staged approach through to 2030 to implement the NSW Plastics Plan 2.0, giving businesses time to adjust to changes and prepare for future requirements. The earliest requirements for businesses will come into effect in late 2027.

What type of guidance will be provided to business to support adoption of the new requirements?

The EPA will work with industry and peak bodies to provide support, education and resources for impacted businesses. This will include guidance on exemptions, key transition dates and timeframes, information about items being phased out, and advice on sustainable alternatives available to business.

Most items that are going to be phased out in NSW have already been phased out in other Australian states and territories – including some types of expanded plastic packaging and items like plastic pizza savers, plastic bread tags, and plastic balloon sticks and ties.

By acting on these items as well, we will make it easier and less costly for businesses that operate across Australia to do the right thing, while preventing NSW from becoming a dumping ground for harmful plastics that are regulated elsewhere.