Business and consumers face hefty fines for infringements.

 

Residents in NSW will no longer see single-use plastics on shelves at their local supermarket or in restaurants as a complete ban came into effect on 1 November. 

 

Individuals caught selling single-use items, including plastic straws, knives, forks, plastic containers or plastic-stemmed cotton buds can be hit with an $11,000 fine.

 

The ban is part of the state government's push to stop 2.7 billion single-use items from ending up in the natural environment and waterways over the next two decades. 

 

NSW already introduced phase one of its anti-plastics push in June when it banned lightweight plastic shopping bags and brought in fines of up to $275,000 for retailers who continued to provide single-use bags. 

 

Also out under the new law will be bowls without spill-proof lids, foodware and cups made from expanded polystyrene, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, and cleansers and exfoliants containing plastic microbeads.

 

Any fines for single-use plastics will be applied on case-by-case depending on how each business is structured and how it responds to earlier intervention.

 

That could mean $2,750 'on-the-spot fines' or $11,000 court penalties for individual suppliers (such as sole traders), and a maximum $55,000 penalty for corporations.

 

That figure doubles for manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors.

 

Even higher fines apply for those who defy the infringement notices and continue to supply the items. 

 

The ban applies to retail or hospitality businesses such as restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels, as well as charities and people undertaking an activity for sporting, education or community purposes.