Aestra was engaged by ACT No Waste within the ACT Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate (TCCS) to develop the Regulatory Impact Statements (RIS) for Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 of the single-use plastic reform via regulation under the Plastic Reduction Act 2021 (Plastic Reduction Act).

The Plastic Reduction Act aims to reduce the use of plastic in the ACT – particularly single-use plastic – by prohibiting the supply of identified single-use plastic items. The Plastic Reduction Act includes the ability for the responsible minister to develop regulations to target the phase-out of single-use plastics.

Tranche 1 of the single-use plastics reform targeted the phase-out of single-use plastic cutlery, single-use plastic stirrers, and single-use expanded polystyrene containers for takeaway food or beverages.

Tranche 2 of the single-use plastics reform targeted the phase-out of single-use plastic drinking straws (with an exemption for those who need them), single-use plastic fruit and vegetable ‘barrier bags’, oxo-degradable plastic products, and cotton buds with plastic sticks.

The Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 RISs were tabled in the Legislative Assembly and supported debate of the regulations. All Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 single-use plastics are now banned in the ACT.

Photo credit: photka, 2020.