MORE than 40,000 businesses across NSW will be supported to phase-out single-use plastics in line with the NSW Government’s recently announced Plastics Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021.

Environment Minister James Griffin said the NSW Government is partnering with the National Retail Association to co-design and deliver a campaign to help businesses transition away from single-use plastics.

“Almost every piece of plastic ever made is still with us.

“More than 2.7 billion plastic items end up in NSW waterways each year – wreaking havoc on the environment and endangering wildlife.

“To protect our environment, we’re getting rid of certain single-use plastics later this year and this campaign will help ensure NSW businesses are ready to go,” Mr Griffin said.

Over the next nine months the National Retail Association will visit more than 650 retail precincts providing factsheets, signage, and advice to help businesses transition.

Alongside this, the National Retail Association has launched a free hotline 1800 844 946 to offer businesses, community organisations and consumers advice on the single-use plastic bans.

From 1 June 2022, the supply of lightweight plastic shopping bags will cease, and come 1 November, the supply of single-use plastic cutlery, utensils, cotton buds and expanded polystyrene food containers will end.

This will also include products containing plastic microbeads and plastic plates and bowls.

Exemptions will apply to people who rely on plastic products for disability or health reasons.

“While we recognise a number of large and small businesses have already phased-out single-use plastics, for many the ban will involve significant change and they’ll need government and community support,” Mr Griffin said.

CEO of the National Retail Association Dominique Lamb said the program will focus on supporting distributors, importers, manufacturers and not-for-profit organisations through resources, online sessions and in-person forums.

“We also want to ensure we engage with hard-to-reach communities, especially small businesses, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups and regional areas,” Ms Lamb said.

“Businesses and community organisations need our help to understand and comply with the ban, but also assistance with preparing their customers for the change.”

For more information call the hotline, or visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban.

 

By Tara CAMPBELL