Page 22 - Plastics News May 2020

Moves towards banning single-use plastics in Iceland Government Makes Tentative
Australia Environmental Policy Progress

hile all States and Territories across Australia he Government of Iceland has revealed several new
Wexcept for New South Wales have now banned Tenvironmental policies and proposals recently,
single-use lightweight plastic bags, moves towards the including fresh funds for projects tackling climate
phase out of other single-use plastics are still at the change and a bid to ban certain single-use products.
public consultation stages. The Queensland Minister for the Environment, Guðmundur Ingi
Government is the latest to seek public submissions on Guðbrandsson, submitted a bill to ban “unnecessary
a proposed ban on the supply of plastic straws, stirrers, waste” in Iceland on May 5th, according to reports. The
plates, cutlery, coffee and other cups, and proposal principally aims to tackle plastic pollution in
heavyweight plastic bags. It joins the South Australian, the sea by banning various single-use plastic items. If
Western Australian and the Australian Capital Territory passed, the law would ban the sale of disposable plastic
governments, who also propose to phase out certain cutlery, earplugs, plastic cups, straws, plastic balloon
single-use plastics. In general, these target single-use sticks and foam food/drink containers. Medical
plastics are consistent with the first phase materials equipment would be exempt. “I think this is of the
identified for regulation under the European Union's utmost importance to reduce the burden of these
Single-Use Plastic Directive .At the Federal level, products on the ocean,” Guðmundur explained to MPs.
proposed legislation to establish a mandatory product Sustainable alternatives to all the products he plans to
stewardship scheme for manufacturers, importers and ban are readily available, so Guðmundur sees no reason
distributors of consumer packaging and certain single- why the policy cannot go ahead. Guðmundur believes
use plastics and implement certain single-use plastic that the government should take a strong lead on waste

reduction and that such prohibitions are far more
bans over the next few years has been introduced into
effective than relying on individuals' consciences. He
the Australian Parliament by the Greens. However, it is cites last year's single-use plastic bag ban as an example
unlikely that this will move ahead until 2021 at the
of the positive impact of top-down environmental
earliest. It is anticipated that there may be pressure to initiatives. According to Guðmundur, litter pickers have
harmonize single-use plastic laws with both the EU and
noticed a sharp decline in the number of plastic bags
the upcoming SUP restrictions in China. As to what they find on Reykjavik's streets. Iceland aims to reduce
variances from these standards are ultimately adopted
carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. Guðmundur's new bill
in Australia is a subject for the current consultations. aims to establish the legal framework for the
The plan, at present, would be to regulate certain
implementation of regulation agreed upon with the EU
plastic packaging along with specified plastic products in 2016. Principally, Guðmundur aims to create a legal
as a single group and not through distinct legal requirement for close monitoring of companies' carbon
schemes. There is currently no clear plan as to what outputs, including airlines. The bill also seeks to clarify
secondary uses would be permitted / required of those companies' obligation to reduce their carbon emissions.
volumes of plastics to be managed under the coming
product stewardship schemes.

MAY 2020 22 Plastics News