[Brad Lockyer]

New South Wales residents could soon be slugged with fines of up to $11,000 for supplying or even just carrying certain single-use plastic items.

In effect from 1 November, the NSW government says the new rules will hopefully stop some 2.7 million pieces of plastic litter entering waterways.

The list of banned single-use plastic items includes straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates and bowls.

Individuals supplying, selling or giving away any of the banned items will be slapped with a maximum court penalty of 100 units, equivalent to $11,000, while businesses supplying banned items could receive up to 500 units ($55,000).

Do you think these fines are fair?

[Auction Girl]

While I find the amounts stunning if that’s what it will take to get people to stop using SINGLE use plastic rubbish then go for it.

[David Ryder]

As this stuff is no longer being sold I doubt there would still be much of it around in November. 

[ronloby]

People have been warned about single-use plastic items before now so it will be their fault if they get stung. 

[clancambo]

Typical power hungry government move!
What happens if I find a straw in my cupboard and use it?? Load of crap!

[Tood]

totally agree, total overkill

[Patricia Willans]

So if people do have these in the house – how can they dispose of them??  our article does not cover that!

[tiggr55]

it will be interesting to see who will be going through our rubbish to find these items, can’t imagine any of the pollies doing it

[pedro the swift]

So what are the gov. going to do about single use plastic/cellophane packaging on nearly all items now sold in a lot of stores? Who cops the fine the manufacturer, retailer or buyer?

[Sophie]

Not a problem…just rip the plastic/cellophane off and hand it back to the cashier!

[Denny]

I have just been into the butcher to stock up on meat for the freezer and each lot of items was contained in a hard plastic container so what happens with these? I was also stunned as well by the prices.

[Sophie]

“New South Wales residents could soon be slugged with fines of up to $11,000 for supplying or even just carrying certain single-use plastic items.”

Brad… this is incorrect information!

I have just received confirmation that this law applies only to: manufacturers; producers; businesses or people buying or selling plastic items.

If a resident already has some plastic knives, forks etc in their house and even if they wish to carry a plastic cutlery set out with them in their handbag for instance, when they go out for a snack…they will not be penalised. As long as they take it back home with them and reuse or dispose of carefully.

 

 

[Suze]

[Author]

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