The single-use plastic ban will take effect in NSW beginning June 2022 and Fairlight, the 10th most sustainable suburb in Sydney, is expected to be among the first to comply.
From the 1st of June, businesses across the state will no longer be able to provide lightweight plastic bags, including biodegradable, compostable, or bio-plastics, to customers.
Instead, shoppers are encouraged to carry a reusable bag or businesses may opt for a sustainably-sourced bag made from recycled paper.
From the 1st of November, the ban on single-use plastic will be extended to the following items even if these are made from biodegradable, compostable, or bio-plastics:
- single-use plastics straws
- stirrers
- cutlery
- single-use plastic bowls and plates
- single-use plastic cotton buds and microbeads in certain personal care products
- expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service items
The ban on single-use plastic is being implemented in line with the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021.
Some exemptions will apply to specific situations, such as high-grade produce bags or deli bags, plastic bags for medical items, meat or produce trays and packaging. Exemptions may also apply to people with a disability or those with specific medical needs.
For the full details of the exemption, visit the NSW Planning and Environment.
Most of the plastics for banning are not biodegradable, thus ending up in landfills. According to a federal statement, “a phase-out of these items will prevent almost 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from entering our natural environment and waterways over the next 20 years.”
The news comes as Fairlight has been cited for its strong awareness of the threats of climate change. According to December 2021 RDA Research, Fairlight is the 10th most sustainable and environmentally friendly suburb in Sydney. This means that its residents are conscious and willing to pay or ascribe to products that do not bring more harm to the environment.
The rest of the Top 10 suburbs include:
- Bondi Beach
- Bondi
- North Bondi
- Forest Lodge
- Clovelly
- Coogee
- Erskineville
- Bronte
- Queens Park
- Fairlight
