People who need to use plastic straws for disability or medical reasons, and suppliers who provide or sell them in NSW will still be able to do so after the next stage of the plastics bans commence on November 1,2022, following the granting of an exemption.
NSW Environment Protection Authority executive director, Liesbet Spanjaard the exemption will ensure that people who need straws for disability or medical reasons, or others acting on their behalf like carers, family and teachers, can continue to access them even after they are banned in NSW later this year.
“It also means that individuals and organisations that need to continue supplying and selling plastic straws after November 1 for medical or disability purposes will be legally able to do so as set out in the exemption,” she said.
This includes hospitality venues and food and drink providers such as restaurants, cafes, school canteens and kiosks, as well as chemists or pharmacies, health facilities including medical, dental and nursing homes, manufacturers, producers, wholesalers and online suppliers.
From November, the NSW Government is banning plastic single-use straws, cutlery, stirrers, plates, bowls, cotton buds, expanded polystyrene food ware and cups, and rinse-off personal care products containing microbeads.
The NSW EPA can grant exemptions to permit the continued supply of banned plastic items, including for medical or health reasons.
Guidance for individuals and suppliers on the single-use plastic straw exemption, and more information about exemptions, is available on the EPA website here: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/recycling-and-reuse/plastics