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The Queensland parliament has passed legislation to ban single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates along with polystyrene foam food containers and cups from September 1.
Following the passage of the laws on Wednesday Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said there was overwhelming community support for banning such products which were too often discarded thoughtlessly.
'Plastic pollution is spoiling our streets and parks, escaping into our ocean and waterways and killing our iconic wildlife,' she said in a statement.
© Provided by Daily MailThe Queensland parliament has passed legislation to ban single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates along with polystyrene foam food containers and cups from September 1 (stock image)
'Half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once and then thrown away and that litter is destroying our environment.'
The Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2020 was the next step in the Palaszczuk government's war on waste, Ms Scanlon said.
She said that during community consultations some 94 per cent of the 20,000 respondents involved supported the proposal to ban such items.
The legislation makes provision for more single-use items to be banned through regulation in the future, Ms Scanlon said.
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Last month, Victoria announced that specific single-use plastic items would be phased out and banned by 2023.
Plastic straws, drink stirrers, plates, cups and polystyrene containers are in the firing line. Cotton buds with plastic sticks will also be prohibited.
Victorian Health Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said each Victorian on average sends about 68 kilograms of plastic to landfill each year.
© Provided by Daily MailEnvironment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said there was overwhelming community support for banning such products which were too often discarded thoughtlessly. Pictured: A male satin bower bird peeks out from its arbor decorated with blue plastic debris
South Australia was the first state to introduce a ban on single-use plastics back in September.
The laws came into effect in March after the coronavirus pandemic delayed their implementation.
'We are the first state in the country to take this action and from tomorrow plastic drinking straws, cutlery and stirrers will be banned from sale, supply and distribution,' Environment Minister David Speirs said on February 28.
'By being a first-mover nationally we've already seen businesses who manufacture re-useable and compostable alternatives start to set up in South Australia.
'Our ban will have significant economic benefits and create local jobs, as well as being good for the environment.'
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