Author: Kathryn Walker
In July this year the SA Government announced that it intended to introduce legislation in 2020 to ban single use plastic products. As part of the transition, a pilot program to establish plastic free precincts has been implemented.
On 17 August after an EOI process which saw 10 applications for precincts made, the Government announced that the following three locations and 21 surf life saving clubs will make up the first four precincts:
- The Adelaide Central Market;
- The Norwood Parade;
- Jetty Road, Brighton traders; and
- 21 Surf Life Saving South Australia clubs.
The pilot program is voluntary and will run for 12 months with the end goal being that the precincts will be self sustaining beyond the trial period. Boomerang Alliance, in conjunction with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation will work with the precincts to “develop, implement and manage” the plastic free pilot. Boomerang Alliance (who have been involved in similar trials in Noosa in Queensland and Bassedean in Western Australia) will provide on the ground support to pilot participants.
The pilot will see the precincts focusing on removing single-use plastics in the following categories:
- Plastic drinking straws;
- Single-use coffee cups;
- Plastic beverage containers;
- Plastic bags (all types);
- Take-away plastic serving ware (cutlery etc); and
- Take-away polystyrene food packaging.
What’s next
Draft legislation is expected to be released late in 2019 for public consultation. The legislation is expected to implement the phasing out of the initial single use plastics listed above and develop an overarching framework for the possible inclusion of other items in the future.
