From Wednesday 1 February 2023, Victorian businesses and organisations (including early childhood education and care services, schools and higher education, TAFEs and registered training organisations) will not be able to sell, supply or provide a number of single-use plastic items.
Items that will be banned from Wednesday 1 February 2023
The ban applies to the following single-use plastic items made from conventional, degradable or compostable plastics:
- drinking straws
- cutlery including knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, sporks, splades and food picks
- plates
- drink stirrers and sticks
- cotton bud sticks.
The ban also applies to:
- food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene.
For more information on items that will be banned, refer to this fact sheet(pdf - 2.31mb).
Exceptions to the ban
People who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to disability or for a medical need will still be able to purchase and use these items.
Early childhood services can continue to purchase single-use plastic straws from their suppliers so that these are available when needed.
There is no requirement for individuals to provide verification of disability or medical need when requesting straws.
Implementing the ban
Victorian organisations and services can continue to use up existing stock before the ban starts on Wednesday 1 February 2023. Banned items cannot be provided after this date, even if they were purchased before the ban.
From Wednesday 1 February 2023, all businesses and organisations (including early childhood education and care services) will need to comply with the regulations and ensure they do not purchase, supply or provide any banned single-use plastics.
Services should make plans to replace single-use items with reusables. Where it is not possible to use reusable items, services can choose single-use items made from alternative materials – such as uncoated paper, wood or bamboo.
Find out more
For more information, refer to:
For further enquiries, email our Environmental Sustainability team: sustainability@education.vic.gov.au
Updated