Australian retailers push for national approach on single-use plastics phase-out

It also calls for an “education before enforcement” approach.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is urging for a unified national strategy as Western Australia and South Australia enforce new single-use plastics bans starting 1 September. 

ARA CEO Paul Zahra stressed that whilst retailers support reducing plastic waste, the current state-by-state regulations are driving up costs and causing delays. 

“Retailers recognise the importance of meeting environmental harms and support the bans despite higher costs associated with the rollout,” Zahra said. 

“However, the fragmented state-by-state approach to managing the bans means this transition has been more costly and taken longer than necessary,” he added.

Starting 1 September, South Australia will ban plastic barrier bags, thick supermarket or boutique-style plastic bags, single-use plastic beverage containers (including coffee cups), expanded food and beverage containers like gelato tubs, and polystyrene trays. 

Western Australia will prohibit produce bags for loose fruit and vegetables, lids for disposable food containers, bowls, plates, and trays. 

To help retailers adapt, the ARA has launched an online resource at, offering webinars and a national overview of the bans.

The ARA also raised concerns that some alternative packaging options may not be suitable for hospitality and quick-service restaurants, increasing food safety risks and posing burn hazards. 

“Our transition to more sustainable packaging must not have the unintended consequences of creating food safety risks and consumer risks,” noted Zahra. 


“We are advocating for government to take an ‘education before enforcement’ approach to these bans,” he said.