Get ready for the single-use plastics ban

Single-use plastics will be banned from sale or supply in Victoria from 1 February 2023 and HealthShare Victoria (HSV) is encouraging health sector organisations to prepare now.

The ban applies to single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers and cotton bud sticks made from conventional, degradable and compostable plastics. The ban also applies to food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene.

HSV has prepared information for health services about the new regulations which is available on our website.

We are working to make sure the existing contracts for Catering Supplies and Workplace Supplies have a suitable range of replacements to the banned single-use plastics. We have identified alternative single-use products on contract that are currently able to be purchased.

To further strengthen the alternative single-use products currently available on contract, HSV has established a working party of health service representatives to evaluate alternate products to confirm they are fit for purpose.

If you would like to contribute to the working party, please contact the HSV Helpdesk on (03) 9947 3900 or email helpdesk@healthsharevic.org.au.

HSV recommends health services take the following steps to prepare for the ban:

• determine if you still need to provide single-use items and where use can be avoided with reusables
• order stock of any alternative items you will need well before the ban begins on 1 February 2023 to avoid supply issues
• run down stocks of banned single-use plastic items and stop ordering any more.

People who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to a disability or for a medical need can still purchase and use these items. There will also be exemptions in other specific circumstances where items are required for health and safety reasons or where suitable alternatives to a subset of banned items are not currently available.

Further background and information including a factsheet and FAQs is available at www.vic.gov.au/single-use-plastics.