Turn the tide on plastic

As part of Western Australia's Plan for Plasticsopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window, the State Government is helping reduce plastic pollution by phasing out a number of single-use plastic items. The State ban applies to the sale, supply and distribution of single-use plastic items and will be completed in two stages. The first stage of the plan will be conducted in two parts, with bans enforced from 1 July 2022. Stage 1 and enforcement dates are listed below.

Banned as of 1 July 2022:

• all plastic shopping bags with handles
• disposable plastic utensils - straws, stirrers and cutlery
• disposable plastic foodware without lids - plates, bowls and food containers
• expanded polystyrene food containers and trays and
• balloon releases.

Banned as of 1 October 2022:

• disposable plastic cups for cold drinks.

Stage 2 of the WA Plan for Plastics comes into effect on 27 February 2023, with a number of single-use plastic items to be phased out between September 2023 and July 2025. The Stage 2 regulations will include:

Banned as of 1 September 2023:

• cotton buds with plastic stems
• microbeads
• expanded polystyrene packaging (loose)
• expanded polystyrene cups and trays for raw meat and seafood and
• degradable plastics.

Banned as of 1 March 2024:

• coffee cups and all disposable plastic cup lids and
• trays for takeaway food not covered in Stage 1 ban.

Banned as of 1 September 2024:

• produce bags
• lids for bowls, trays, plates and takeaway food containers.

Banned as of 1 July 2025:

• expanded polystyrene packaging (moulded).

If you have any questions about the ban, community organisations and members of the public can get in contact with Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) at plastic-action@dwer.wa.gov.au or call (08) 6364 7000. You can register for updates on the second phase of the WA Plastics Banopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

While our 2025 July Series is now complete, workshops are hosted at our libraries throughout the year on plastic free living topics, can be found on our What's On Calendar. 

Upcoming Workshops

Our Toy Library now has a Party Hire Kit, including tables, chairs and utensils for loan.

To find out more and see loan availability visit Toy Library website.opens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

Schools and community groups can now loan out our Plastic Free - Education Kit's. Create your own display, either for a Plastic Free July or during the year, these displays are the perfect way to start a conversation on the impacts of plastics on our environment.

There are two Kit options avaliable, high school aged and primary school aged. The following is included in each Kit:

• 6 Material Jars – Kindly donated by local beach clean-up group, Rockingham Beach Cleans, explore locally found debris on our beaches.
• 2 A3 posters and display frames – Outlining the impacts of plastics, how long material takes to break down and what’s found along our coastline.
• Books – Based on age groups, each kit has a selection of 4-5 books.
• Further resources – Explore various educational resources to prompt further research and inclusions for your display and conversations.

Education Kit - High School 

Education Kit - Primary School