South Australia has taken aim at one of the biggest culprits in our takeaway food habits as it surges on with clamping down on single-use plastics.
The SA government’s phased approach to cutting out problematic plastic took another step forward on Monday with its Australia-first ban on those sushi shop staples – plastic soy sauce fish containers.
From September 1, any plastic fish containers with a lid, cap or stopper that hold less than 30 millilitres of soy sauce are banned across the state.
It follows the 2021 ban in SA on the distribution of plastic straws, cutlery and drink stirrers. In 2023, it followed up with axing plastic-stemmed cotton buds, plastic pizza savers and single-use plastic plates and bowls.
In Australia, restrictions on single-use plastics are a state and territory issue.
A 2023 report from WWF-Australia noted that Western Australia and SA were leading other jurisdictions, although every state and territory had phased out plastic bags. Items such as plastic plates and bowls, straws, cutlery and expanded polystyrene cups and containers used for takeaway food had also been phased out everywhere except in the Northern Territory and Tasmania, which had committed to doing so this year.
WA and SA have also forged ahead with plans to scrap single-use coffee cups – an item not yet on the agenda in NSW, Victoria, the ACT or Tasmania.
With SA at the head of the class among Australian jurisdictions, here’s what it has outlawed and how it all works.
Bans from September 1
This year’s changes in SA focus on small but widespread items, particularly in takeaway packaging:
Plastic soy sauce fish containers The tiny fish-shaped bottles (and similar rigid plastic containers under 30 millilitres) commonly included with sushi are being phased out.
Plastic cutlery and straws attached to food and drink packaging That means yoghurt tubs with built-in spoons, or juice boxes with plastic straws stuck to the side – these attachments are no longer allowed.
EPS cups and bowls used in pre-packaged meals EPS (expanded polystyrene) is the foamy stuff often used in instant noodle or soup cups. If the container is made of EPS and sold pre-packed, it’s being phased out.
What’s not banned (yet)?
Fruit stickers SA had planned to ban these this year, but the move was paused after local growers raised concerns about cost, complexity and timing – especially during a drought. The delay offers time to find alternatives and aligns SA with other states.
Barrier bags for meat and dairy These are the thin plastic bags often used in butcher’s shops or deli sections. They’re OK until 2027. Compostable alternatives must be used for fruit, vegetables, nuts and confectionery.
Condiment sachets, squeezy sauce packs, and plastic-lined cardboard aren’t affected by this year’s changes and will still be seen on pre-packaged foods.
Plastic lollipop sticks, ice-cream sticks and plastic wrapping on straws or cutlery attached to containers are also staying for now.
What should I use instead?
Here are some easy ways to replace the waste and make a difference – without the hassle:
Cutlery
Best bet: Bring your own reusable set – stainless steel, bamboo or travel-size sets are lightweight and easy to stash in a bag or glovebox.
If you forget: Look for wooden cutlery that is compostable and widely available.
Straws
Don’t need one? Just say no.
If you do: Use silicone, stainless-steel or paper alternatives – be mindful of options that suit your needs and avoid those that turn to mush in your drink.
Cups and bowls
Dine in when you can, or BYO a reusable cup or container.
Compostable packaging is becoming more common for takeaway – just check your local council’s green bin rules.
For more alternatives, the SA government’s Replace the Waste website has a handy tool to help make the switch.
Why it matters
It might feel like a small change – saying no to a straw or soy sauce fish – but these everyday items add up.
For instance: We used to use plastic straws for an average of 20 minutes, but they’d stick around for up to 600 years. In Australia, we would go through 10 million a day – most of which couldn’t be recycled and ended up in landfill or waterways.
Plastic doesn’t compost on land or in the ocean. It just breaks into smaller pieces called microplastics – which are eaten by marine life, from the tiniest zooplankton to the biggest whales.
About 100,000 marine mammals are killed each year by plastic pollution. All seven species of sea turtles are affected, as well as more than two-thirds of marine mammals and 90 per cent of seabirds.
It’s grim – but change is possible. South Australia has led the way on phasing out single-use plastics since 2021, with bans on everything from straws and stirrers to pizza savers and plastic confetti. Every step helps reduce waste and protect our coastlines, oceans and wildlife.
Are there any exemptions?
Yes – but they’re narrow and mostly apply to health, disability or clinical use.
For example:
Plastic straws are still allowed if you need them for a health or disability reason.
Certain medical, forensic or veterinary settings are exempt for items such as plastic spoons and bowls.
One final thing
You don’t have to throw out plastic items you already have at home – the ban applies to sale, supply and distribution – not personal use.
If you’ve got a stash of soy sauce fish in the back of your cutlery drawer, you’re not breaking the law. But they’re also a single-use item that’s hard to recycle. Use up what you’ve got – and then let them swim into the past.
This article first appeared in The Post SA. Read the original here
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