Alternatives


Single-use plastics ban: Plastic waste sorted

Avoiding the use of a disposable item is the best environmental outcome. Where this is not possible, reusable or single-use alternatives are available.

Single-use plastic plates and bowls

Reusable:

  • Reusable plates and bowls (such as stainless steel, ceramic or plastic).

Single-use:

  • Paper and cardboard
  • Fibre-based alternatives.

Expanded polystyrene loose fill packaging and trays

Avoidance:

  • Smaller packaging to reduce empty space.

Single-use:

  • Kraft paper, shredded paper and cardboard
  • HDPE air pillows
  • Moulded fibre-based alternatives
  • PET or polypropylene
  • Aluminium
  • Myco-composite and mycelium-based packaging.

Plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care and cleaning products

Avoidance:

  • Products made without microbeads.

Single-use:

  • Products that use other exfoliants (e.g. powders from seeds and nuts, salt or coffee grounds).

Heavyweight and boutique plastic bags (greater than 35 microns in thickness)

Reusable:

  • Reusable bags made of cotton, calico, jute, nylon, polyester, woven polypropylene.

Single-use:

  • Paper bags

Single-use plastic cutlery and drink stirrers

Reusable:

  • Metal
  • Wooden

Single-use:

  • Bamboo
  • Wooden

Expanded polystyrene containers

Reusable:

  • BYO container

Single-use:

  • Aluminium
  • Cardboard

Single-use plastic straws

Reusable:

  • Stainless steel (metal)
  • Glass
  • Silicone
  • Bamboo
  • Silicone/metal

Single-use:

  • Paper
  • Sugarcane

Cotton buds with plastic sticks

Single-use:

  • Cotton buds with paper sticks
  • Cotton buds with bamboo sticks

Oxo-degradable plastics

Reusable:

  • For items like  shopping or produce bags

Single-use:

  • Conventional plastics that do not contain fragmentable additives
  • Compostable items that are to Australian composting standard AS4736 or AS5810

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

To see how we are building stronger relationships with the Traditional Custodians of the ACT view the Reconciliation Action Plan.