Plastic stemmed cotton buds, plastic pizza savers and single-use plastic plates and bowls are now banned from use in South Australia.

The new regulations, which came into effect on September 1, are the next phase in South Australia’s push to eliminate the use of environmentally harmful single-use plastics.

The State Government said community surveys consistently showed the public wants action on single-use plastics.

Exemptions are in place where plastic-stemmed cotton buds and single-use plastic bowls are required for medical, scientific, forensic or law enforcement purposes only.

Plastic pizza savers are difficult to recycle in conventional recycling facilities, and when left inside a cardboard pizza box they impact on the recyclability or compostability of the pizza box.

With all other states also banning single-use plastic products over the next few years, prices for compostable alternatives are expected to continue to drop.

The regulations and exemptions were developed after examining those already in place internationally, and those coming into effect in Australia and New Zealand.

Green Industries SA will continue to provide free advice for South Australian businesses on the best alternatives for their products and services.

Direct assistance for cafés, restaurants and takeaway businesses is available for free through the government funded ‘Plastic Free SA’ program.

Since commencing in 2021, Plastic Free SA has helped 174 South Australian business remove more than eight million single-use plastic items and move to smarter more sustainable alternatives.

Visit replacethewaste.sa.gov.au for more details.