Stay up to date with the latest sustainability movements

The National Retail Association (NRA) Policy team actively work across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply chains.

1. Single-Use Plastics Summary table:

See the latest update to our summary table of all single-use plastic regulations in Australia and New Zealand: https://www.nationalretail.org.au/policy-advocacy/action-on-single use-plastics/ 

 

2. Plastic bans across AU/NZ:

  • Need a quick update across all jurisdictions? Join us for our monthly online session. Recommended for national / international businesses.
  • Online session: First Friday of every month – next session = this Friday 3 March 10 AM AEDT
  • Register here

 

3. WA Stage 2 single-use plastic bans:
WA regulations passed on Friday which will ban 12 items over 4 phases from 2023 to 2025.

  • Brief summary of the 4 phase ban
    We understand industry will have many questions. As the final regulations have just been released, we are not yet able to answer specific queries with certainty.
  • NRA info-gathering session (this Thursday) – Register here
    To commence, the National Retail Association is running an online session on Thursday 2 March solely to gather industry questions and examples. Please submit or bring your questions, examples of items or examples of uses. We will then relay these to DWER and work with them to clarify answers and interpretations of the regulations so we can provide accurate advice to industry. We will then hold multiple information sessions in coming months.

 

4. New Zealand plastic phase-outs:
NZ is phasing out more plastic items 1 July 2023 including: plastic produce bags, straws, cutlery, plates, bowls, and produce labels. Some exemptions/conditions apply.

  • Information on the NZ ban >
  • The NRA are assisting the NZ Government as an expert consultant, advising on resources and business education. We are also holding free monthly information sessions.
  • Online session: First Friday of every month – next session = this Friday 3 March 11am AEDT (1pm NZT). Register here >

 

5. SA single-use plastic bans:

  • The SA Government has released their plan to introduce further bans in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
  • The draft regulations for the 2023 ban have been released for feedback.
  • The following items will be banned 1 Sept 2023: plastic pizza savers, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, single-use plastic bowls without lids, and single-use plastic plates. The SA Government has proposed exemptions for plastic-lined paper bowls and plates until Nov 2024.
  • Consultation closes Tuesday 28 February. More info & survey >

 

6. QLD single-use plastic bans:

  • Last year QLD released their 5 year roadmap.
  • QLD plans to introduce a ban on 1 September this year including: plastic cotton buds, EPS loose packaging, plastic microbeads and non-reusable heavyweight plastic shopping bags.
  • Regulations are yet to be released.

 

7. VIC single-use plastic ban:

  • The VIC plastics ban came into effect 1 Feb. Businesses must no longer supply or provide banned items, regardless of when you purchased them.
  • As engaged by the Victorian Government, the NRA visited 3092 stores, held 22 weekly sessions and provide advice via our hotline and email support. Overall, we engaged over 20,000 retailers, suppliers, community organisations and peak bodies.
  • To our knowledge, no further regulations are planned at this stage.

 

8. NSW single-use plastic ban:

  • Both stages of the NSW plastics ban are now in effect.
  • NSW Government is now reviewing additional items proposed for action in 2024 as per their Plastics Plan. Opportunities for input will be provided.

 

9. Australasian Recycling Label:

  • This year, a new packaging platform – the ARL Marketplace – will be launched: www.arlmarketplace.org.au 
  • The purpose of the ARL Marketplace is to provide a simple sourcing solution that connects businesses with packaging formats that are ready to label with the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL).
  • We are running free weekly info sessions to help small and medium businesses to get the ARL on your packaging to help consumers recycle better. The sessions provide a brief overview of the ARL program, how the ARL benefits business and consumers and discusses the process, barriers and addresses any questions you may have. Register here > or contact us

 

Check our Eventbrite regularly for new information sessions: https://bit.ly/41pUUkx  
Contact the NRA Policy team about sustainability: sustainability@nra.net.au