From 1 September, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, plastic pizza savers, and single-use plastic plates and bowls will be banned from use, sale and distribution in South Australia.

This follows the success of previous bans on single-use straws, cutlery and stirrers in 2021 and polystyrene takeaway containers in March 2022.

More single-use plastic items will be phased out in 2024 and 2025, including plastic produce bags, thick supermarket plastic bags, plastic confetti, plastic bread tags, single-use plastic coffee cups and lids, plastic soy sauce fish and plastic balloon sticks and ties.

Businesses and consumers are encouraged to find environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastics that are either reusable, compostable or recyclable.

Oswaldo, from Sazon Espresso in Mount Barker, said the café had switched to more sustainable products.

“We use bamboo cutlery now, paper straws – so none of the plastics," Oswaldo said.

"I think it’s fantastic – it does cost a little bit more for us, but we’re happy to absorb the extra cost to do the right thing."

South Australia’s Single-use and Other Plastic Products Act 2020 is the first legislation of its kind in Australia, phasing out unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics.

It is widely recognised around the world that phasing out single-use plastics is an important and achievable step in reducing pollution and protecting marine life.

For more information and resources, visit www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au