– New Exemption for: takeaway food containers/lids used for soupy or liquidy foods that are served over 60 degrees Celsius or intended to be heated over 60C. For example, foods such as: curry, gravy, soup, laksa, etc. Those who wish to use this exemption must supply information to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)
– Sauce, dips, or dressing provided as part of a takeaway/eat-in-meal is not exempted in the ban. For example: a little tub of dressing to mix into your salad, a tub of tartare sauce, or a dessert dipping sauce in a takeaway meal.
Although, if you pre-pack your sauce ahead of time and then later provide it with takeaway or eat-in food, the base must comply with the ban, but the lid is exempt.
As WA implements the next stage for the WA Plan for Plastics, from 1 September 2024, it is now illegal to supply and use:
• Disposable plastic produce bags for fresh unpackaged fruit and vegetables
• Disposable plastic lids for bowls, trays and containers used for takeaway or eat-in-food
This means that many businesses will be affected, including:
• Retail or hospitality businesses such as restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, takeaway food outlets, party supply stores, discount stores, supermarkets, market stalls, online stores, delivery services, and any other retailers
• Manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and wholesalers
• Community groups and not‐for‐profits, such as those that use items as part of a service, for daily activities, or during events or fundraising activities
For the ban to the sale and supply of plastic produce bags for loose fresh fruit and vegetables, the ban does not apply to:
• produce bags used for anything other than loose fresh fruit and vegetables (e.g. raw meat, bakery products, deli items, crafting items)
• reusable produce bags made from plastic fabric e.g. polyester or nylon
• pre‐packaged fruit and vegetables (e.g. grape and banana bags)
• bulk bags sold on‐shelf (e.g. freezer /sandwich / zip‐lock bags)
• plastic produce bags which have achieved an Australian composting standard (AS 4736:2006 or AS 5810:2010)
For the ban of plastic lids, this applies to:
• plastic lids (including rigid or flexible lids, heat‐sealed films or windows) for bowls, trays or containers that are used for takeaway or eat‐in food and are not pre‐packed
• lidded plastic bowls, trays or containers that are used for takeaway or eat‐in food which were previously exempt because they were served with a lid
• packs of lidded disposable plastic foodware
Although, this does not apply to:
• lids or lidded foodware made primarily from paper or fibre with a plastic or bioplastic coating where the whole item is certified to the Australian Standard for industrial (AS 4736:2006) or home (AS 5810:2010) composting
• food that has been pre‐packaged offsite (see WA Plan for Plastics Guide FAQ 2 on P19)
• plastic lids and windows for pre‐packed takeaway food placed on display (see WA Plan for Plastics Guide FAQ 2 on P19)
• reusable foodware designed for washing and ongoing use
• lidded foodware that contains foodstuffs that are not considered to be eat‐in or takeaway food (see WA Plan for Plastics Guide FAQ 3 on P19
Disclaimer: Above information has been taken from the Government WA Plan for Plastics Guide
Get your business ready for the upcoming plastic bans and browse our range of compliant alternatives. Reach out to us today to explore eco-friendly packaging solutions suitable for you, and stay ahead of the changes!