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Nicola Dowse

Posted January 25, 2023

From February 1, 2023, the most common single-use plastic products will be banned throughout Victoria. Find out how it will impact you and local businesses.
The state-wide ban is being implemented to help reduce plastic waste in the environment.

Single-use plastic straws, plates, cutlery, cotton tips and drink stirrers will all be banned for sale and supply in both retail and commercial settings from this date. This means you will no longer be able to buy these products in shops (including supermarkets), or be supplied with them at venues such as cafes, takeaways, community organisations, bars or restaurants.

Rob Pierce, Bar Manager at CBD bar Bourke Street Green, says that while the business has been aware of the upcoming ban, the impact will be minimal as the bar has always opted for sustainable straw options.

"We've never used plastic straws," Pierce says. "We used biodegradable ones to start with, but now we use paper."

Nearby, Little Collins Street patisserie, Le Petit Gâteau, has also gotten ahead of the ban by opting for plastic-alternatives for their disposable cutlery and food containers.

"We don't use any plastic for that sort of thing," says Le Petit Gâteau café manager, Alex Hall. "We use wood cutlery currently and we changed over all our plastic bags. We use reusable canvas or paper bags."

The café's food containers for sandwiches and cakes meanwhile, are made from a sugarcane pulp material which can be either composted or recycled.

Government data indicates that single-use plastic products make up a third of the litter found in the environment. The new ban follows the Victoria's lightweight plastic bag ban that was implemented in 2019.

Polystyrene food containers can be swapped for more sustainable cardboard, bamboo or reusable options. Photo: Matt Harvey.

What single-use plastics are banned?

The following products are banned from February 1:

Single-use plastic straws

Single-use plastic plates

Single-use plastic cutlery

Single-use plastic drink stirrers

Single-use plastic cotton buds

Expanded polystyrene food containers and cups - like the ones you might get a burger in or have a hot drink served in - are also banned. From January 2026 the ban will expand to also include any of these items that come pre-packaged in a food or drink product, such as plastic straws stuck to a juice box.

The ban applies to products made of compostable plastic as well. This is because compostable plastics break down into smaller fragments called microplastics that can still pollute the environment and be ingested by animals and end up in the food chain.

Only the above single-use plastic and polystyrene items have been banned. Plastic takeaway containers (the kind you might have leftovers from a restaurant placed in) are still permitted, while fans of a beer at the footy can still have it served in a plastic cup (remember to recycle where possible).

Single-use plastic serving implements such as tongs are also exempted, as are expanded polystyrene containers from which food is not directly eaten - think the tubs you might get large amounts of takeaway gelato in or seafood transport crates.

How will Victoria's single-use plastic ban affect me or my business?

Once the ban comes into effect, individuals will no longer be able to buy any of the prohibited single-use items from stores or venues (with a few exceptions).

If you have any of these plastic items at home that were bought prior to the ban, it's fine to continue using them as long as it's done so in a private setting (for example, a family picnic or child's birthday party).

Single-use plastic drinking straws will still be available for those who need them due to disability or medical reasons. Businesses are allowed to stock the straws for this purpose, but they don't have to, nor will they be accessible without request. Calling the business ahead of time can confirm if they're in stock.

Businesses that have a surplus of the banned products cannot sell or supply them after February 1. It's advised that stock of these items is run down prior to that date and not restocked.

It's fine for businesses and individuals to continue using reusable plastic items but you should confirm with your supplier that they are genuinely classified as reusable. Failure to comply with the ban can result in financial penalties.

Homemade, eco-friendly cleaning tips for a natural home with Chelsea Smith

How RACV City Club parted with plastic

As a business that spans the hospitality, accommodation and fitness sectors, the RACV City Club has for a long time been looking for ways to reduce its waste footprint across its many venues.

The club's shared workspace now stocks only wooden disposable cutlery, uses cardboard or plant-based containers for serving light meals, and swapped over to paper straws well before the new single-use plastic ban was announced. Paper straws are likewise used in other food and beverage venues across the club.

"As soon as the conversation around plastic straws began to shift, our leisure and operations teams saw an opportunity to make the change," says Amanda Rottmann, City Club Operations Manager.

Efforts to remove single-use plastic items and reduce all forms of wastage from the club go beyond what the new ban demands as well. Huskee reusable cups (made from coffee husks) are now available for members in the shared workspace, while refillable bottles of body wash are used in the fitness centre change rooms.

The fitness centre has also adopted an "on request" policy for its sweat towels, encouraging members to bring their own if required to reduce water and energy use expended on towels that were handed out but not used.

Bathroom amenities such as toothbrushes and shower caps supplied in rooms also use recycled plastic and paper packaging where possible. In the rooms themselves, plans are also underway to replace single-use miniature bottles of hair and body products with large, refillable bottles that don't have to thrown out after each guest stay.

"Most people understand the changes when they're explained to them," says Rottmann.

Installing refillable amenities is one way RACV City Club is going beyond what is required by the new ban. Photo: Matt Harvey.

What are the alternatives?

Several alternatives to the banned single-use items already exist and can be purchased widely.

These include paper straws and plates, cardboard food containers, bamboo cutlery and even reusable, washable cotton buds.

Before you swap straight to another disposable product, however, consider whether you or your business could implement reusables instead.

For example, if going on a picnic consider if you could pack washable, reusable plastic plates and cutlery instead of using disposable options. If you run a food business, encourage customers to bring their own reusable cups or containers - neither Australia's food standards code nor Victoria's food act prohibit customers bringing their own containers.

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Single-use plastic straws, plates, and cutlery banned in Victoria | RACV

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Skip to main content Nicola Dowse Posted January 25, 2023 From February 1, 2023, the most common single-use plastic products will be banned throughout Victoria. Find out how it will impact you and local businesses. The state-wide ban is being implemented to help reduce plastic waste in the environment.

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Trees and other green plants produce oxygen, the gas needed by humans and other animals to live. When trees are cut down, less oxygen is released into the atmosphere.

Trees also capture carbon dioxide, one of the gases that contribute to a problem known as global warming. When they are burned, trees release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

Erosion

Deforestation on steep mountain hillsides can lead to erosion. The land can get worn away because the trees are not there to hold the soil together. Heavy rains in such areas can wash the land down the slopes in disastrous landslides that destroy fields, homes, and human lives.

Habitat Loss

Many forests are peaceful, quiet places where people can rest or play. When trees are cut down, this recreational use of forests is lost.

Forests are home to an enormous range of living things. When an area is deforested, many plants and animals are killed. Others lose their habitats. Some types of living things become extinct because of deforestation, especially those that live in tropical rainforests. The traditional way of life for rainforest peoples can be greatly affected by deforestation.

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Trees and other green plants produce oxygen, the gas needed by humans and other animals to live. When trees are cut down, less oxygen is released into the atmosphere. Trees also capture carbon dioxide, one of the gases that contribute to a problem known as global warming.

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Plans to rid Australia of single-use plastics are being stepped up.

From July, you'll no longer be able to buy plastic tableware and other items from Kmart, Target and Coles.

Bans on single-use plastics start in the ACT the same month and in Queensland in September. By December, all of Australia Post's plastic packaging will be made with recycled materials.

And that's just the beginning.

The federal government's National Plastics Plan, launched by Environment Minister Sussan Ley in Brisbane on March 5, outlines a range of bold* initiatives* that are to be quickly implemented*.

Polystyrene packaging and plastic products that are specially designed to break down into smaller pieces, known as microplastics, will be phased* out from July 2022.

By December 2022 polystyrene food and drink containers will also be phased out, or possibly banned if the industry fails to achieve that goal.

By 2023 the plan calls for at least 80 per cent of products on supermarket shelves to carry the Australasian Recycling Label, and for l00 per cent of packaging to be recyclable, reusable or compostable* by 2025.

The government will also work with Boomerang Alliance to get rid of plastic on key beaches, and with industry to tackle the country's single biggest littering problem: cigarette butts, of which an estimated eight billion are thrown away in Australia every year.

Ms Ley said Australians used one million tonnes of single-use plastic each year, and it was "simply unsustainable".

"We know the problems, we know that there are good ideas out there, but this is the first national strategy, one that attacks the issue from all sides and which sets clear targets over the next decade," she said.

"We are attacking the plastic problem on five key fronts: through legislation*, investment, industry targets, research and development, and community education."

The release of the plan follows South Australia's banning of some single-use plastic items from March 1, Victoria announcing similar plans, and McDonald's Australia recently removing all plastic cutlery and straws from its restaurants.

The move by McDonalds was in line with a pledge the company made at a National Plastics Summit in March last year.

Some companies which made pledges at the summit reported progress on their goals.

A spokesperson for the Kmart Group, which also includes Target, said they were on track to withdraw single-use plastic straws, cutlery, plates, bowls, cups, balloon sticks and cotton buds from sale by July 1.

An Australia Post spokesperson confirmed 100 per cent of its plastic packaging would be made with recycled content by the end of 2021.

Coles recently announced it would stop selling single-use plastic tableware from July 1.

Woolworths pledged to remove or reduce plastic packaging across its own branded product ranges as part of the Plastic Summit.

A spokesperson for Qantas said the national carrier had met its waste targets, but some goals were "automatically achieved" because of the reduction in its operations brought on by the coronavirus.

"COVID has also created a new challenge with necessary health and safety measures, like individually wrapped masks, creating more waste," the spokesperson said.

"When flying recovers and health restrictions are eased we will be looking closely at how this additional waste can be reduced."
GLOSSARY

bold: strong, brave

initiatives: plans

implemented: put into place

phased: carried out in stages

compostable: able to be broken down and used to improve soil

legislation: laws

EXTRA READING Plastic Bag Store opens as plastics ban begins Plastic waste found in seafood Rye straw could replace plastic straws Kids feeling eco-anxiety about plastic waste QUICK QUIZ

1. Which stores will no longer sale plastic tableware from July?

2. What is the name of the federal Environment Minister?

3. In which city did she announce the National Plastics Plan?

4. Which state banned the use of some single-use plastic items from March 1?

5. What is the new waste challenge Qantas has been dealing since COVID-19?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Self audit
Think back over your activities, purchases and consumption over the past week. Work through each day from start to finish and compile a list of all single-use plastics that you have disposed of. This might be food wrappers from snacks, plastic plates and cutlery from a party you went to, packaging from a new toy, etc. How many single use plastics did you throw away this week?

Think of and write down three things you could do this week that will reduce the amount of single-use plastic you use.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Sustainability

2. Extension
Think of a favourite product that you (or your family) regularly purchase, that uses single-use plastic. Design a new, more environmentally friendly package for this product. Draw the packaging from the top, front and side view and explain what it is made from and why.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Sustainability; Technologies

VCOP ACTIVITY
Nouns are places, names (of people and objects), and time (months or days of the week). How many nouns can you find in the article? Can you sort them into places, names and time? Pick three nouns and add an adjective (describing word) to the nouns.

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Plans to rid Australia of single-use plastics are being stepped up. From July, you'll no longer be able to buy plastic tableware and other items from Kmart, Target and Coles. Bans on single-use plastics start in the ACT the same month and in Queensland in September.

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On March 1, South Australia will become the first state to ban the sale, supply and distribution of single-use plastic products such as straws, cutlery and drink stirrers.

The ban begins less than a week after the opening of a grocery shop in Adelaide's Rundle Mall in which everything - even the fruit and vegetables - is made out of single-use plastic.

But there's nothing illegal or even awkward about the shop or the timing. The shop is an art installation as part of the Adelaide Festival to increase awareness about plastics pollution.

New York artist Robin Frohardt's grocery store, called the Plastic Bag Store, stocks items Australians will recognise - sort of.

"I made Vegemite and Milo versions of products," Ms Frohardt said - although she gives a humorous twist to all her brand names. Vegemite is renamed Bagemite and Milo is Baglo.

The installation also features film and puppetry elements with performances designed to increase awareness about plastics pollution.

"It's really quite cool that South Australia is ahead of the game with banning single-use plastic items," Ms Frohardt said.

"Obviously there's still a lot of work to do for everyone, everywhere, but I'm really proud of what SA is doing - and hopefully the world follows suit."

Ms Frohardt arrived at the start of February and spent two weeks in quarantine before she was able to start installing the work.

"It was definitely worth it ... just to be able to be here in a place that has taken such COVID precautions that we can all live kind of a normal life is very special."

Plastic Bag Store, in the former Harris Scarfe department shop premises* in Rundle Mall, will be open until March 14.

"I actually have more space than when we tried to do this in New York - it's really nice that people will be able to experience it mixed in with other stores. It's definitely how I envisioned* it."

In September 2020, the South Australian government passed laws banning single-use plastics from March 1, with plans to expand the ban in early 2022 to polystyrene cups, bowls and plates, plus other items in the future. In time, all takeaway coffee cups, plastic bags and other takeaway food service items will be included in the ban.

There are exemptions* for medical purposes, such as for people with disabilities who need straws to help them drink.

The Queensland government has passed similar laws banning single-use plastics, which will come into effect on or after July 1 this year.

The Adelaide Festival officially opens on Friday.
GLOSSARY

premises: building where a business is located

envisioned: visualise

exemptions: being allowed to do something different to others

EXTRA READING Kids feeling eco-anxiety about plastic waste Rye straw could replace plastic straws Hobart votes to ban single-use plastic We saved 1.5 billion plastic bags from landfill QUICK QUIZ

1. What is happening from March 1?

2. What has the artist made?

3. Where is her art installation?

4. What is one exception to the new rules?

5. What is happening in Queensland about single-use plastics?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Waste-free party
Lots of the newly banned items are things you might use if you were hosting a party. That doesn't mean we can't have parties any more, just that we need to be more mindful when we are planning them! Make a 10-point "Waste-Free Party" tip sheet that people could refer to, to ensure their party doesn't result in a heap of waste going to landfill. Be specific with your tips.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Sustainability

2. Extension
Identify a problem that you think is important to raise awareness about. Draw or write about an art installation idea you have that you think would draw attention to your cause.

Time: allow 5 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; The Arts

VCOP ACTIVITY
Opener Up-Level It
Make a list of all the openers in the article. Pick three that repeat and see if you can replace them with another word, or shuffle the order of the sentence to bring a new opener to the front.

Don't forget to re-read the sentence to make sure it still makes sense, and that it actually sounds better.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you want your state to ban single-use plastic?
No one-word answers. Use full sentences to explain your thinking. No comments will be published until approved by editors.

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Plastic Bag Store opens as plastics ban begins

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On March 1, South Australia will become the first state to ban the sale, supply and distribution of single-use plastic products such as straws, cutlery and drink stirrers. The ban begins less than a week after the opening of a grocery shop in Adelaide's Rundle Mall in which everything - even the fruit and vegetables - is made out of single-use plastic.

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Plastic pollution harms our health, wildlife, and the environment

These problematic single-use plastics are now banned from sale or supply in Victoria:

Drinking straws

Cutlery

Plates

Drink stirrers

Cotton bud sticks

Expanded polystyrene food service items

Expanded polystyrene drink containers.

The ban applies to conventional, degradable and compostable plastics.

People who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to disability or medical needs can still purchase and use these items.

The Victorian Government has undertaken a comprehensive, statewide program to assist businesses and organisations to understand and prepare for the ban. Over 6,500 retail and hospitality businesses across Victoria have been directly engaged through face-to-face visits by engagement officers.

How to comply with the ban - free resources are available

The factsheet, poster and postcard below can help your business or organisation comply with the ban. If you need further information, you can call the hotline on or email: .

Frequently asked questions

Banned items are single-use plastic:

drinking straws

cutlery including knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, sporks, splades, food picks and sporks

plates

drink stirrers and sticks

cotton bud sticks

expanded polystyrene food service items and drink containers. This includes expanded polystyrene plates, cups, bowls, clam shells and any cover or lid that is also made from expanded polystyrene.

All forms of plastic can be bad for the environment when littered.

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

Compostable plastic items can harm wildlife the same way conventional plastic items do if they are littered. Many compostable plastics require processing at a specialised compost facility in order to break down.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service items and drink containers are banned. This includes EPS plates, cups, bowls, clam shells and any cover or lid that is also made from expanded polystyrene.

The Regulations do not apply to EPS containers used for food packaging and transport, where the food is not typically consumed from the receptacle. For example, the Regulations do not apply to EPS trays for transporting raw meats, large EPS food storage boxes or EPS multi-serve gelato tubs.

Single-use plastics:

make up a third of the litter we see in our environment - they are difficult and costly to clean up

are a poor use of resources - they are often used for only a few minutes and generate a significant amount of waste that is difficult to recycle

pollute the environment - harming wildlife and contaminating our food and water

Single-use plastics can often be easily avoided or replaced with reusable products.

The ban applies to businesses and organisations including not-for-profits, government, sports clubs, schools, and others that are incorporated.

It is the responsibility of all Victorian businesses and organisations to comply with the Regulations and not sell or supply certain single-use plastic items, including to patrons or customers.

From 1 February 2023, Victorians cannot purchase, or be supplied with single-use plastic drinking straws, plates, cutlery, drink stirrers, cotton bud sticks or expanded polystyrene food service items and drink containers from any business or organisation.

These items cannot be sold or given away for free.

Businesses and organisations can offer reusable items or single-use items made from alternative materials.

There are limited exemptions that provide the use of items in specific circumstances. This includes the use of single-use plastic drinking straws for individuals who require them due to disability or for medical needs.

A banned single-use plastic item is one that is made wholly or in part of plastic, and is not reusable. Reusable items are manufactured to be used for the same purpose on multiple occasions, and come with a warranty, or other written representation from the manufacturer, that they are designed to last for at least one year.

It is important that reusable plastic items are genuinely reusable and durable enough to be used for ongoing use.

In order to define a banned single-use plastic item, the regulations for the ban also define the reusable equivalents of those items.

Reusable plastic straws, plates, cutlery, drink stirrers or cotton bud sticks are those that:

1. are made to be used multiple times for the same purpose

2. come with a warranty, or other written representation from the manufacturer, that they are designed to last at least one year.

If you are a business or organisation that sells, supplies, or provides reusable plastic straws, plates, cutlery, drink stirrers or cotton bud sticks you should check with your supplier that these products meet these 2 requirements.

If you are a manufacturer that sells, supplies or provides reusable plastic items you will need to provide a warranty, or other written representation as to the length of time the item is designed to last, of at least one year

There are 5 exemptions where banned single-use plastic items can continue to be used in Victoria. These are for specific circumstances where items are required for health and safety reasons or where suitable alternatives to a sub-set of banned items are not currently available.

1. Single-use plastic drinking straws for people who need them due to a disability or for medical reasons

2. Single-use plastic cotton bud sticks for testing carried out for scientific, medical, forensic or law enforcement purposes

3. Single-use plastic cutlery, where required, in correctional and mental health facilities to prevent physical harm or injury

4. Until 1 November 2024 paper or cardboard plates lined with plastic

5. Until 1 January 2026 any single-use plastic item that is integrated into food or drink packaging (e.g., a single-use plastic spoon included in a yogurt tub).

From 1 February 2023, the use of single-use plastic drinking straws is restricted. Single-use plastic straws can continue to be used by people who need one due to disability or medical needs. This exemption supports independent living, social inclusion, and equal participation.

Single-use plastic straws may be available at any retailer or hospitality venue; however, businesses may choose to no longer stock or sell straws.

If you need a straw, you should be aware that:

You need to request a single-use plastic straw at a shop or cafe as it cannot be accessible to the public without the assistance of a staff member. This does not need to be a verbal request.

You do not have to show or share proof of disability or medical condition.

Someone can ask for a straw for you. This could be a medical professional, carer, friend, or family member.

Hospitality and retailers have been told that they can continue to provide straws to people who need them, but they don't have to keep them in stock.

A preference to use plastic straws over other materials (such as paper) is not a valid reason for needing a single-use plastic straw. You should not ask for one if you do not need to use a plastic straw.

Single-use plastic straws which bend, are flexible and can be positioned, are a vital accessibility aid for many people, who rely on them to eat and drink independently. Other options such as paper or reusable straws are not always suitable or safe.

Any business or organisation, including not for profit organisations, can sell or supply single-use plastic straws to a person who requires one due to a disability or medical need. Sale or supply of straws may be at a physical premises, online or through another distance selling arrangement.

The business or organisation must:

keep the straws in a place which is not accessible to customers without the assistance of a staff member, such as behind the counter

not offer or provide single-use plastic straws unless the customer has requested one.

There is no requirement for individuals to provide verification of disability or medical need when requesting straws.

People who need a single-use plastic drinking straw due to disability or medical need should consider carrying one in case the venue does not have them in stock.

Retailers have been told to continue providing straws to people who need them, but they don't have to keep them in stock. You may be able to buy them:

Online - you can search for plastic straws on the internet

In-store - some retail outlets may have packets of plastic straws to buy - these will not be stocked on shelves but may be available on request. Australia Post outlets across Victoria have also been encouraged to continue stocking plastic straws to be available on request.

You will need to request a single-use plastic straw at a shop as it will not be accessible to the public without the assistance of a staff member. This does not need to be a verbal request. A medical professional, carer, friend, or family member can request a straw on your behalf.

Some paper or cardboard plates have a plastic lining - such as laminate or other thin film, to prevent inks and dyes from contaminating food.

Paper or cardboard plates with a plastic lining, regardless of whether the lining is made from conventional or compostable plastic, will be banned from sale and supply in Victoria 1 November 2024.

Alternative products that do not contain plastic are currently in development and are becoming available.

The delayed commencement of the ban for these items provides time for the industry and the community to transition to alternative non-plastic products. To support national consistency this date is aligned with similar rules in NSW.

The Victorian Government will work with businesses involved in the plastic lined paper plate supply chain to monitor and support this transition.

Avoid single-use items where possible and choose reusables alternatives instead.

If you cannot avoid single-use, then consider items made from non-plastic materials such as responsibly sourced paper, wood or bamboo.

The website has more information and resources on how your business can avoid single-use plastics and make the switch to reusables.

Compliance and enforcement of the ban is the responsibility of .

It is an offence to:

sell, supply, distribute or provide banned single-use plastic items in Victoria

provide false or misleading information on the composition of banned items.

An education-first approach is being taken so that businesses and organisations are aware of their obligations.

However, it is the responsibility of all businesses and organisations to understand and comply with the ban. There are penalties associated with these offences, and fines can be issued.

It is not an offence to provide or sell single-use plastic items under the five 'exemption' circumstances.

Non-compliance can be reported to the EPA. Use the , email or call our pollution hotline on .

Businesses and organisations must not sell, supply, distribute or provide any of the banned single-use plastic items, even if they were purchased before 1 February 2023.

The ban applies to items regardless of whether they are used for food and drink consumption or other activities.

The ban does not apply to individuals using single-use plastic items for domestic or private use.

Banned items cannot be sold or supplied, regardless of if they were purchased before the ban commenced on 1 February 2023.

Since the ban was announced on 27 February 2021, many organisations have stopped providing banned items.

If you think your business or organisation has bulk leftover stock of banned items, consider taking actions such as:

1. contacting your supplier to see if they offer exchanges or credit towards compliant replacements; or

2. contacting a local recycler to see if they can recycle bulk quantities (items cannot be placed into recycling bins directly).

Health advice supports the use of reusable items with appropriate cleaning.

Victoria's food safety legislation (the Food Act 1984, the Meat Industry Act 1993 and the Seafood Safety Act 2003) does not prohibit food businesses, retail butcher shops and seafood retailers from accepting reusable containers from customers.

Refer to for more information and resources to help your business and customers make the switch to reusables.

In a lot of cases, the single-use alternatives to the banned plastic items (e.g. wooden cutlery or paper straws) cannot be recycled or composted so they will need to be disposed of in the general waste. However, we encourage you to check with your local council or waste service provider to confirm.

DELWP received 52 submissions and over 1,600 responses to an online survey on the draft Regulations and the Regulatory Impact Statement. This input was considered in finalising the Regulations.

While the ban addresses many problematic single-use plastic items, there is more we can do to reduce plastic pollution and its impact on our environment. We're working across government, business and industry, to reduce plastic pollution and will continue to engage with Victorians as we do this.

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Reducing plastic pollution starts with us | Victorian Government

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These problematic single-use plastics are now banned from sale or supply in Victoria: Drinking straws Cutlery Plates Drink stirrers Cotton bud sticks Expanded polystyrene food service items Expanded polystyrene drink containers. The ban applies to conventional, degradable and compostable plastics.

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Alright it's time to play everyone's favourite game - what do these things have in common? JACK: Oh, I know this one. it's on the tip of my tongue. Yes, they're all delicious, oh except the fuel and soap. Oh, how about they're all things I buy sometimes?

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Remember when you didn't know how to wear a face mask? You'd never smelt hand sanitiser? And shoving a swab up your nose and wiggling it around until your eyes watered was...

NAT: Wait, what?

AMELIA: It's gonna be a thing in like a year. So, just trust me. Hold still.

NAT: Wait, ah, just give me a minute.

Yeah, things have definitely changed a lot since COVID. People all across the world have found themselves in need of things they probably didn't think they'd ever need, or need so much of, or even want, to be honest. Like disposable masks, face shields, nasal swabs, plastic gloves, bottles of hand sanitiser, takeaway food containers, and bubble wrap.

AMELIA: Oh, you know, for all the extra online shopping.

And while a lot of this extra stuff is being used to keep people safe and separated, it's making a tonne of extra waste. Well about 1.6 million tonnes actually. That's how much plastic waste has been made every day since the pandemic started. That's like 10,000 blue whales or 1.2 million teams of BTN reporters.

AMELIA: Umm, I'm not quite sure that put things in perspective, but you get the idea. It's a lot.

In fact, when it comes to something like disposable masks around 129 billion are chucked into landfill every month. That's like...

AMELIA: Well, that's just like 129 billion masks.

And plastic takes a long time to break down; like, 450 years long. And when stuff isn't chucked out properly, it can end up where it shouldn't. Hospitals, in particular, are creating a huge amount of waste. The WHO says discarded syringes, test kits, old vaccine bottles and personal protective equipment are creating big problems, especially in developing countries where getting rid of waste is already tricky.

AMELIA: But if you're thinking can't we just make all of this COVID-y stuff recyclable? Well, unfortunately it's not always that simple. For example, these. Rapid antigen tests.

DEAN WHITING, CEO PATHOLOGY TECHNOLOGY AUSTRALIA: It's nice to think that the plastic parts could be recycled. The sad truth is that they will be contaminated with biological waste from your nose or your mouth so really in that sense they can't be. You should really put it into a zip lock bag, and you should put the waste into your household waste, not into the recycling bin. Just the cardboard packaging and the paper leaflet, for example, can be.

There's also the issue of reusable face masks. While they're fine in some situations (and definitely better than nothing) experts say N95 masks are best but, you guessed it, they're disposable. Environmental organisations say sadly, for now, we just have to put up with the extra waste to keep us safe.

ALEJANDRA LACLETTE, PLANET ARK RECYCLING CAMPAIGN MANAGER: We have to make sure that we take care of our community and make sure that they're safe. So, this is something that importantly right now it just has to be, it has to happen.

AMELIA: But wait. We can try to make up for our waste in other ways. Like...

We can snip the straps off our masks before putting them in the bin, so if they end up where they shouldn't, they won't trap animals. Keep cutting down on plastic packaging and reducing our food waste. There are also companies working on more eco-friendly COVID essentials, like biodegradable masks. And hopefully in the not-too distant future these things that used to not be a thing will not be a thing again. And that'll be a good thing.

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While masks and RATs are helping to keep us safe they're often not recyclable and all of that COVID waste is building up.

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We look at what a recession is, how it came about, and what the government is doing to try to get us out of it.

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In this BTN Special, we take a tour of the Royal Australian Mint to see how our money is made. We also go back in time to learn more about the history of currency, find out about Australia's move to decimal currency and talk to an expert about what the future of money might look like.

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In this BTN Special, we take a tour of the Royal Australian Mint to see how our money is made. We also go back in time to learn more about the history of currency, find out about Australia's move to decimal currency and talk to an expert about what the future of money might look like.

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UN CLIMATE REPORT
Hotter temperatures, rising sea levels and severe storms. These are just some of the extreme weather events the world's leading climate scientists say we could soon see a lot more of, according to their latest report on climate change. The report has been called our final warning before we see a global temperature rise to more than one point five degrees in the next decade which could cause more extreme weather, impact food supplies, and destroy some wildlife. But there is some hope, because scientists say there's still time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. They say we need to act quicker than ever to reduce our emissions so we can reach a global net zero by as early as 2030, and big contributors, like coal, oil and gas companies, are being called on to be part of the solution. Although it'll take a lot of work, experts say we've never had better technology or tools at our finger tips to get back on track.

NEW TRAPDOOR SPIDER
A new species of trapdoor spider has just been discovered. The rare, nocturnal spidey was found by scientists at Brigalow Belt in central Queensland. They reckon the females live underground for their whole lives, while the males hang around underground for a few years before venturing out to find a mate. But they're also worried the species is endangered because of heavy land clearing.

HARMONY WEEK
Australians come from all over the world. In fact, we have more than 300 different cultural backgrounds including the world's oldest continuous cultures. So Harmony Week is all about coming together to celebrate our diversity and multiculturalism. It all started back in 1999 as Harmony Day, which coincides each year with the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is today by the way. Now we have a whole week of celebrations! With offices, community groups and schools doing all sorts of things to mark the occasion. Many wear orange to show their support for an inclusive Australia, while some, like these kids in Adelaide, are donning traditional outfits and eating some delish food from all different cultures.

WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT
There's nothing happier than happy people doing happy things and that's apparently the whole of Finland. It's just been named the happiest country in the World Happiness Report for the sixth year in a row, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Israel and the Netherlands. While Australia came in 12th. The list is based on stuff like a country's wealth, social support, life expectancy, freedom and generosity. And snow running, probably.

EQUINOX
These people in Mexico are soaking up the happiness that comes from being at these famous ruins on a special day known as the Spring Equinox. It's the first day of the solar new year - marking the halfway point between winter and summer - and some believe the combo of sun and two thousand year old pyramids equals one very happy day.

MODEL RAILWAY SHOW
And what's happier than playing with tiny trains? Nothing if you're a serious railway model enthusiast like these people in London!

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Is this the UN's Final Climate Change Warning? - Behind The News

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UN CLIMATE REPORT Hotter temperatures, rising sea levels and severe storms. These are just some of the extreme weather events the world's leading climate scientists say we could soon see a lot more of, according to their latest report on climate change.

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Health experts are urging* Australian kids to not be fooled by social media marketing* after an energy drink containing six times the amount of caffeine* as a can of Coke was made available for sale in the country.

The drink, Prime, was founded* by social media stars Logan Paul, an American who describes himself as an "artist, boxer and wrestler", and KSI, an English rapper and boxer.

Between them, the men have almost 50 million subscribers* on YouTube, not to mention many more on other social media channels, and while they have been careful to include a hard-to-spot warning against children drinking Prime, their fan base of young Australians have shown great interest in it.

Leading paediatric* gut health dietitian* at Tricky Little Tummies, Karina Savage, told radio station 3AW that despite Prime being an energy drink for adults, the clever marketing* and packaging made it "super appealing" to young people.

"[Energy drinks] are not necessary, especially the caffeinated* ones, [and] are not good for our children, we don't want them to be having big hits of caffeine as they head off to school in the morning," Ms Savage said.

Australian law states the maximum allowable amount of caffeine in a drink is 32 mg per 100ml. One can of Prime has 56mg of caffeine per 100ml, six times the 9mg per 100ml in a can of Coke. A can of Red Bull has exactly 32mg per 100ml.

The dangerously* high level of caffeine* in the drink should technically* make it illegal* for sale in Australia but by calling it a "dietary supplement"*, the clever marketers found a loophole*.

"That whole industry has loopholes*, it's not regulated like the pharmaceutical industry* so if they want to find a loophole*, I'm sure they can," Ms Savage told 3AW.

"Certainly, I think it should be targeted more towards adults but our children are wanting them and I think that's the problem.

"Caffeine is a drug. The American Academy of Paediatrics [says] for kids under 12, they should be having none, that's their recommendation and even for kids 12-18, they say no more than 100mg per day."

While caffeine can have dangerous effects on people of any age (see below), the drink contains a list of other ingredients where little known about the health implications*.

Paul told listeners of KIIS's Kyle and Jackie O Show the energy drink made the equivalent of $363 million in retail sales during its first year. He added in the month of January, the energy drink made $65 million for the month.

Energy drink consumption has been linked to headaches, stomach aches, insomnia*, fatigue*, irritation and hyperactivity* and inattention symptoms.

What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a stimulant* that is naturally occurring and is found in leaves and fruits of certain plants. It is in things like coffee, most teas, cocoa, chocolate, cola, guarana and energy drinks.

Caffeine affects your central nervous system* and in small doses can boost energy and focus, in large doses can cause a range of bad reactions.

How can caffeine be bad?
Side effects of consuming caffeine in any dose varies per person and can include feeling agitated* and anxious*, make it hard to sleep, increase heart rate and in severe cases can cause seizures*, vomiting, tremors* and psychosis*.
GLOSSARY

urging: advising someone very strongly to do something

marketing: process of getting people interested in your company's product or service

caffeine: a drug that stimulates (increases the activity of) your brain and nervous system

founded: the act of starting something new

subscribers: people who follow a channel

paediatric: relating to the medical care of children

dietitian: an expert on diet and nutrition.

dangerously: in a way that is able or likely to cause harm or injury

technically: according to the facts or exact meaning of something

illegal: not allowed by law

dietary supplement: any vitamin, mineral, herbal product, or other ingestible preparation that is added to the diet to benefit health

loophole: a small mistake in a law that makes it possible to do something the law is supposed to prevent

pharmaceutical industry: connected with the industrial production of medicine

health implications: potential health effects

insomnia: chronic sleep disorder, difficulty falling or staying asleep

fatigue: state of tiredness, exhaustion, drowsiness

hyperactivity: having more energy than is normal, easily excited, being unable to stay still

stimulant: a substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body

central nervous system: consists mostly of the brain and spinal chord and controls things like movement, thought, emotions and breathing

agitated: feeling or appearing troubled or nervous

anxious: worried because you think something bad might happen

seizures: a medical condition causing temporary, unstoppable surges of electrical activity in the brain

tremors: a shaking movement in a person's body

psychosis: unable to distinguish what is real

EXTRA READING Teens make 'Monster' mistake with energy drinks Energy drinks robbing teens of sleep Junk food tells lies to your brain Sleep app boosts teen mental health How much sleep do I need? QUICK QUIZ

1. How much caffeine is in one can of Prime

2. List three side effects of consuming too much caffeine

3. How did Logan Paul and KSI get around the law preventing the sale of heavily caffeinated drinks?

4. What was the main message gut health dietitian at Tricky Little Tummies, Karina Savage, shared on radio?

5. Why do Logan Paul and KSI want more people to buy their drinks?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What Do You Think?
"Prime should be banned in Australia."
Use the information in the story and your own opinion to write a list of reasons either for or against this statement.

Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social Capability

2. Extension
Do you think that Prime would be so popular without Logan Paul and KSI? Write a paragraph explaining your opinion.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social Capability

VCOP ACTIVITY
It should be illegal
Do you agree or disagree? This type of drink should not be allowed according to Australian Law, but the company has found a loophole. Do you think that's right?

Think about what might happen to kids' bodies if they consume the drink, especially if it becomes a regular occurrence.

Write a letter to your local shops sharing your opinion. Should the drinks be on their shelves or not? Should there be any type of regulation over purchasing the drink? If so, what?

Remember to use your VCOP skills to edit and up-level your writing and really get your message across.

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'Famous' Prime energy drink warning for kids

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Health experts are urging* Australian kids to not be fooled by social media marketing* after an energy drink containing six times the amount of caffeine* as a can of Coke was made available for sale in the country.

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Landmark trial turns apartment food scraps into fertiliser in bid to curb staggering food waste

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'It's our rubbish, our problem'_ Canberra sisters commit to saving 10,000 socks from landfill

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Truly free range ethical eggs

About Josh's Rainbow Eggs

We provide a unique offering, as we are an ethical, environmentally sustainable egg with a great story.

Subscribe to our newsletter & receive a free heart health recipe e-book full of egg-cellent recipes!

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Truly free range ethical eggs About Josh's Rainbow Eggs We provide a unique offering, as we are an ethical, environmentally sustainable egg with a great story. Subscribe to our newsletter & receive a free heart health recipe e-book full of egg-cellent recipes!

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Plastic pollution harms our health, wildlife, and the environment

These problematic single-use plastics are now banned from sale or supply in Victoria:

Drinking straws

Cutlery

Plates

Drink stirrers

Cotton bud sticks

Expanded polystyrene food service items

Expanded polystyrene drink containers.

The ban applies to conventional, degradable and compostable plastics.

People who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to disability or medical needs can still purchase and use these items.

The Victorian Government has undertaken a comprehensive, statewide program to assist businesses and organisations to understand and prepare for the ban. Over 6,500 retail and hospitality businesses across Victoria have been directly engaged through face-to-face visits by engagement officers.

How to comply with the ban - free resources are available

The factsheet, poster and postcard below can help your business or organisation comply with the ban. If you need further information, you can call the hotline on or email: .

Frequently asked questions

Banned items are single-use plastic:

drinking straws

cutlery including knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, sporks, splades, food picks and sporks

plates

drink stirrers and sticks

cotton bud sticks

expanded polystyrene food service items and drink containers. This includes expanded polystyrene plates, cups, bowls, clam shells and any cover or lid that is also made from expanded polystyrene.

All forms of plastic can be bad for the environment when littered.

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

Compostable plastic items can harm wildlife the same way conventional plastic items do if they are littered. Many compostable plastics require processing at a specialised compost facility in order to break down.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service items and drink containers are banned. This includes EPS plates, cups, bowls, clam shells and any cover or lid that is also made from expanded polystyrene.

The Regulations do not apply to EPS containers used for food packaging and transport, where the food is not typically consumed from the receptacle. For example, the Regulations do not apply to EPS trays for transporting raw meats, large EPS food storage boxes or EPS multi-serve gelato tubs.

Single-use plastics:

make up a third of the litter we see in our environment - they are difficult and costly to clean up

are a poor use of resources - they are often used for only a few minutes and generate a significant amount of waste that is difficult to recycle

pollute the environment - harming wildlife and contaminating our food and water

Single-use plastics can often be easily avoided or replaced with reusable products.

The ban applies to businesses and organisations including not-for-profits, government, sports clubs, schools, and others that are incorporated.

It is the responsibility of all Victorian businesses and organisations to comply with the Regulations and not sell or supply certain single-use plastic items, including to patrons or customers.

From 1 February 2023, Victorians cannot purchase, or be supplied with single-use plastic drinking straws, plates, cutlery, drink stirrers, cotton bud sticks or expanded polystyrene food service items and drink containers from any business or organisation.

These items cannot be sold or given away for free.

Businesses and organisations can offer reusable items or single-use items made from alternative materials.

There are limited exemptions that provide the use of items in specific circumstances. This includes the use of single-use plastic drinking straws for individuals who require them due to disability or for medical needs.

A banned single-use plastic item is one that is made wholly or in part of plastic, and is not reusable. Reusable items are manufactured to be used for the same purpose on multiple occasions, and come with a warranty, or other written representation from the manufacturer, that they are designed to last for at least one year.

It is important that reusable plastic items are genuinely reusable and durable enough to be used for ongoing use.

In order to define a banned single-use plastic item, the regulations for the ban also define the reusable equivalents of those items.

Reusable plastic straws, plates, cutlery, drink stirrers or cotton bud sticks are those that:

1. are made to be used multiple times for the same purpose

2. come with a warranty, or other written representation from the manufacturer, that they are designed to last at least one year.

If you are a business or organisation that sells, supplies, or provides reusable plastic straws, plates, cutlery, drink stirrers or cotton bud sticks you should check with your supplier that these products meet these 2 requirements.

If you are a manufacturer that sells, supplies or provides reusable plastic items you will need to provide a warranty, or other written representation as to the length of time the item is designed to last, of at least one year

There are 5 exemptions where banned single-use plastic items can continue to be used in Victoria. These are for specific circumstances where items are required for health and safety reasons or where suitable alternatives to a sub-set of banned items are not currently available.

1. Single-use plastic drinking straws for people who need them due to a disability or for medical reasons

2. Single-use plastic cotton bud sticks for testing carried out for scientific, medical, forensic or law enforcement purposes

3. Single-use plastic cutlery, where required, in correctional and mental health facilities to prevent physical harm or injury

4. Until 1 November 2024 paper or cardboard plates lined with plastic

5. Until 1 January 2026 any single-use plastic item that is integrated into food or drink packaging (e.g., a single-use plastic spoon included in a yogurt tub).

From 1 February 2023, the use of single-use plastic drinking straws is restricted. Single-use plastic straws can continue to be used by people who need one due to disability or medical needs. This exemption supports independent living, social inclusion, and equal participation.

Single-use plastic straws may be available at any retailer or hospitality venue; however, businesses may choose to no longer stock or sell straws.

If you need a straw, you should be aware that:

You need to request a single-use plastic straw at a shop or cafe as it cannot be accessible to the public without the assistance of a staff member. This does not need to be a verbal request.

You do not have to show or share proof of disability or medical condition.

Someone can ask for a straw for you. This could be a medical professional, carer, friend, or family member.

Hospitality and retailers have been told that they can continue to provide straws to people who need them, but they don't have to keep them in stock.

A preference to use plastic straws over other materials (such as paper) is not a valid reason for needing a single-use plastic straw. You should not ask for one if you do not need to use a plastic straw.

Single-use plastic straws which bend, are flexible and can be positioned, are a vital accessibility aid for many people, who rely on them to eat and drink independently. Other options such as paper or reusable straws are not always suitable or safe.

Any business or organisation, including not for profit organisations, can sell or supply single-use plastic straws to a person who requires one due to a disability or medical need. Sale or supply of straws may be at a physical premises, online or through another distance selling arrangement.

The business or organisation must:

keep the straws in a place which is not accessible to customers without the assistance of a staff member, such as behind the counter

not offer or provide single-use plastic straws unless the customer has requested one.

There is no requirement for individuals to provide verification of disability or medical need when requesting straws.

People who need a single-use plastic drinking straw due to disability or medical need should consider carrying one in case the venue does not have them in stock.

Retailers have been told to continue providing straws to people who need them, but they don't have to keep them in stock. You may be able to buy them:

Online - you can search for plastic straws on the internet

In-store - some retail outlets may have packets of plastic straws to buy - these will not be stocked on shelves but may be available on request. Australia Post outlets across Victoria have also been encouraged to continue stocking plastic straws to be available on request.

You will need to request a single-use plastic straw at a shop as it will not be accessible to the public without the assistance of a staff member. This does not need to be a verbal request. A medical professional, carer, friend, or family member can request a straw on your behalf.

Some paper or cardboard plates have a plastic lining - such as laminate or other thin film, to prevent inks and dyes from contaminating food.

Paper or cardboard plates with a plastic lining, regardless of whether the lining is made from conventional or compostable plastic, will be banned from sale and supply in Victoria 1 November 2024.

Alternative products that do not contain plastic are currently in development and are becoming available.

The delayed commencement of the ban for these items provides time for the industry and the community to transition to alternative non-plastic products. To support national consistency this date is aligned with similar rules in NSW.

The Victorian Government will work with businesses involved in the plastic lined paper plate supply chain to monitor and support this transition.

Avoid single-use items where possible and choose reusables alternatives instead.

If you cannot avoid single-use, then consider items made from non-plastic materials such as responsibly sourced paper, wood or bamboo.

The website has more information and resources on how your business can avoid single-use plastics and make the switch to reusables.

Compliance and enforcement of the ban is the responsibility of .

It is an offence to:

sell, supply, distribute or provide banned single-use plastic items in Victoria

provide false or misleading information on the composition of banned items.

An education-first approach is being taken so that businesses and organisations are aware of their obligations.

However, it is the responsibility of all businesses and organisations to understand and comply with the ban. There are penalties associated with these offences, and fines can be issued.

It is not an offence to provide or sell single-use plastic items under the five 'exemption' circumstances.

Non-compliance can be reported to the EPA. Use the , email or call our pollution hotline on .

Businesses and organisations must not sell, supply, distribute or provide any of the banned single-use plastic items, even if they were purchased before 1 February 2023.

The ban applies to items regardless of whether they are used for food and drink consumption or other activities.

The ban does not apply to individuals using single-use plastic items for domestic or private use.

Banned items cannot be sold or supplied, regardless of if they were purchased before the ban commenced on 1 February 2023.

Since the ban was announced on 27 February 2021, many organisations have stopped providing banned items.

If you think your business or organisation has bulk leftover stock of banned items, consider taking actions such as:

1. contacting your supplier to see if they offer exchanges or credit towards compliant replacements; or

2. contacting a local recycler to see if they can recycle bulk quantities (items cannot be placed into recycling bins directly).

Health advice supports the use of reusable items with appropriate cleaning.

Victoria's food safety legislation (the Food Act 1984, the Meat Industry Act 1993 and the Seafood Safety Act 2003) does not prohibit food businesses, retail butcher shops and seafood retailers from accepting reusable containers from customers.

Refer to for more information and resources to help your business and customers make the switch to reusables.

In a lot of cases, the single-use alternatives to the banned plastic items (e.g. wooden cutlery or paper straws) cannot be recycled or composted so they will need to be disposed of in the general waste. However, we encourage you to check with your local council or waste service provider to confirm.

DELWP received 52 submissions and over 1,600 responses to an online survey on the draft Regulations and the Regulatory Impact Statement. This input was considered in finalising the Regulations.

While the ban addresses many problematic single-use plastic items, there is more we can do to reduce plastic pollution and its impact on our environment. We're working across government, business and industry, to reduce plastic pollution and will continue to engage with Victorians as we do this.

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Reducing plastic pollution starts with us | Victorian Government

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These problematic single-use plastics are now banned from sale or supply in Victoria: Drinking straws Cutlery Plates Drink stirrers Cotton bud sticks Expanded polystyrene food service items Expanded polystyrene drink containers. The ban applies to conventional, degradable and compostable plastics.

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Remember when you didn't know how to wear a face mask? You'd never smelt hand sanitiser? And shoving a swab up your nose and wiggling it around until your eyes watered was...

NAT: Wait, what?

AMELIA: It's gonna be a thing in like a year. So, just trust me. Hold still.

NAT: Wait, ah, just give me a minute.

Yeah, things have definitely changed a lot since COVID. People all across the world have found themselves in need of things they probably didn't think they'd ever need, or need so much of, or even want, to be honest. Like disposable masks, face shields, nasal swabs, plastic gloves, bottles of hand sanitiser, takeaway food containers, and bubble wrap.

AMELIA: Oh, you know, for all the extra online shopping.

And while a lot of this extra stuff is being used to keep people safe and separated, it's making a tonne of extra waste. Well about 1.6 million tonnes actually. That's how much plastic waste has been made every day since the pandemic started. That's like 10,000 blue whales or 1.2 million teams of BTN reporters.

AMELIA: Umm, I'm not quite sure that put things in perspective, but you get the idea. It's a lot.

In fact, when it comes to something like disposable masks around 129 billion are chucked into landfill every month. That's like...

AMELIA: Well, that's just like 129 billion masks.

And plastic takes a long time to break down; like, 450 years long. And when stuff isn't chucked out properly, it can end up where it shouldn't. Hospitals, in particular, are creating a huge amount of waste. The WHO says discarded syringes, test kits, old vaccine bottles and personal protective equipment are creating big problems, especially in developing countries where getting rid of waste is already tricky.

AMELIA: But if you're thinking can't we just make all of this COVID-y stuff recyclable? Well, unfortunately it's not always that simple. For example, these. Rapid antigen tests.

DEAN WHITING, CEO PATHOLOGY TECHNOLOGY AUSTRALIA: It's nice to think that the plastic parts could be recycled. The sad truth is that they will be contaminated with biological waste from your nose or your mouth so really in that sense they can't be. You should really put it into a zip lock bag, and you should put the waste into your household waste, not into the recycling bin. Just the cardboard packaging and the paper leaflet, for example, can be.

There's also the issue of reusable face masks. While they're fine in some situations (and definitely better than nothing) experts say N95 masks are best but, you guessed it, they're disposable. Environmental organisations say sadly, for now, we just have to put up with the extra waste to keep us safe.

ALEJANDRA LACLETTE, PLANET ARK RECYCLING CAMPAIGN MANAGER: We have to make sure that we take care of our community and make sure that they're safe. So, this is something that importantly right now it just has to be, it has to happen.

AMELIA: But wait. We can try to make up for our waste in other ways. Like...

We can snip the straps off our masks before putting them in the bin, so if they end up where they shouldn't, they won't trap animals. Keep cutting down on plastic packaging and reducing our food waste. There are also companies working on more eco-friendly COVID essentials, like biodegradable masks. And hopefully in the not-too distant future these things that used to not be a thing will not be a thing again. And that'll be a good thing.

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While masks and RATs are helping to keep us safe they're often not recyclable and all of that COVID waste is building up.

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Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

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Get unlimited access to 40,000 of the best books, audiobooks, videos, & more for kids 12 and under. Try it free.