Information for schools and education providers
This guide helps schools and other education providers understand the plastics bans and how they apply to them.
The bans apply to schools and education providers
Organisations that provide educational services or activities (such as schools) are included in the bans, along with all other NSW businesses. While there are no general exemptions for schools, there are some specific exemptions that apply in certain settings or circumstances, so please check current plastics exemptions for details.
The bans apply even if the items are used for educational purposes (such as art or science lessons)
Schools should not be ordering or purchasing any banned items now that the bans are in place.
What is not banned?
The following items commonly used in schools are not banned at this stage. This could be reviewed in future:
- plastic glitter
- balloons
- cups (except for foam cups made of EPS)
- drink bottles
- cling film
- sandwich bags
- freezer bags
- food containers
- gloves
- PPE
- scientific equipment.
Barrier bags (such as nappy bags, produce bags and waste bags) are not currently banned.
Rules for canteens
Canteens can no longer supply any of the banned items – for example, single-use plastic plates, bowls (excluding those designed or intended to have a spill-proof lid), straws and expanded polystyrene food ware.
The ban does not currently include containers or bowls with spill-proof lids that may be used to serve, for example, fruit salad, yoghurt or snack items.
Canteens can supply single-use plastic straws to a person who needs one due to a disability or other medical need.
Managing external vendors
The liability for supply of a banned item is not limited to only one person in the supply chain. For example, if the owner of the educational premises made the item available by supplying banned items to contractors (such as a canteen operator or stallholder at a school fair), who then distribute or on-supply these items, then both parties are likely to be involved in supply.
We encourage all organisations to help build awareness of the bans with your vendors by:
- circulating general information and communications to the vendors about the bans
- reviewing your service guidelines, to ensure you are not promoting the use of banned items by vendors
- including clauses in the vendors’ contracts, noting that vendors cannot supply the prohibited plastic items as prescribed in the PRCE Act, unless an exemption applies.
Supplying some exempt single-use plastic items
There is an exemption in place that allows supply of plastic single-use straws to an individual who needs one due to a disability or other medical need, or an individual / organisation acting on behalf of someone who does.
For example, canteen staff and volunteers can supply a plastic single-use straw when asked by a student or staff member who needs one due to disability or other medical need. You cannot have the straws on display and must keep the straws out of view, in a location that is not publicly accessible, for example, behind the counter.
You do not need to ask the student or staff for proof that they need a plastic single-use straw for themselves or someone else, and we recommend, for privacy reasons, that you do not ask.
Any individual or organisation can also act on behalf of a person who needs a plastic single-use straw – for example, teachers, parents or carers can ask for a straw on behalf of a student who needs one.
There is an exemption in place that allows supply of single-use plastic cotton buds for a medical, scientific or forensic purpose. The exemption allows certain types of cotton buds including swabs, such as those found in a COVID-19 test or first aid kit, to continue being supplied.
Plastic single-use cotton buds should not be supplied in other settings, such as art or science classes, as this is considered an educational purpose (and not a scientific purpose or other exempt purpose).
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