Plastics

Plastic packaging and so-called single-use plastic items make up 60% of all litter in NSW. These items take thousands of years to decompose and in the process, they are causing great harm to our natural environment and wildlife.

The NSW government has created legislation which bans businesses and community groups from supplying lightweight plastic bags from 1 June 2022. The ban was extended on 1 November 2022, to include single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, bowls and plates as well as expanded polystyrene food service items, like cups and hamburger containers, single-use plastic cotton buds, and rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads.

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Info for businesses and community organisations

Visit Plastics Ban NSW for info on how the single-use plastic phase-outs impact you, the assistance available and alternatives to single-use plastics.

Find out more

Guidance on the bans 

Sea turtle with plastic bag in mouth

Resources

Resources on the plastics ban for businesses and community organisations, including translated posters and brochures.

Watch our information video on the single-use plastics ban

'Let's Stop it and Swap it' promotional resources

Visit Plastics Ban NSW

Single-use plastics straws, balloons, cutlery, cups

Exemptions

Some plastic items are currently exempt from the bans.

Let's Stop It and Swap It! bag - swapping plastic for paper

Stop It and Swap It!

Our campaign is all about how to stop using plastic and swap it for something reusable and more sustainable.

Learn more.

Littered plastic items on a beach

Plastics Action Plan

The NSW Government is encouraging people to swap single-use plastic items for reusable and sustainable alternatives and reduce the impact plastics have on the environment.

Read about our actions.

News and media releases

  • No extension on deadline to move high-risk soft plastic stockpiles

    Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe MLC, has welcomed that the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has maintained its position that Australia’s major retailers, Coles and Woolworths, will not receive more time to move high-risk soft plastic stockpiles.

    Read more

  • Monday deadline for soft plastic removal plan

    EPA officer inspecting storage facility

    The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on Wednesday issued Australia’s largest supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths, with a revised draft Clean-up Notice to manage the recovery, recycling and lawful removal of more than 5200 tonnes of soft plastic stockpiled across the state.

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  • Supermarkets on notice to clean-up soft plastic stockpiles

    EPA officer inspecting storage facility

    Australia’s largest supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths have been served by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) with a draft Clean-up Notice to remove more than 5200 tonnes of soft plastic stockpiled at 15 sites across the state.

    Read more
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