Plastic Bans
Australian states and territories apply different single-use plastic rules. Status below reflects the BioPak material family assigned to this product — not every SKU in that family is treated the same way. Check cutlery and straw items separately where noted.
Australian Capital Territory
Use the ACT A–Z waste guide. FOGO is available in many areas — compostable packaging acceptance is limited.
Cutlery & straws:
Compostable bioplastic cutlery, stirrers and straws are banned for sale or supply in this state.
| Material | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous | Compliant | Aqueous-coated paperboard is not listed in ACT single-use plastic bans for food service ware. |
| Plant Fibre | Compliant | Plant fibre moulded products (bagasse, wheat straw) are not banned single-use plastics in ACT. |
| PLA Bioplastic | Affected | Compostable bioplastic cups, lids and containers may be permitted — bioplastic cutlery, stirrers and straws are banned in ACT. |
| FSC™ Paper and Birchwood | Compliant | FSC paper and birchwood products are not banned plastics in ACT. |
| Paper (non-FSC) | Check locally | |
| PHA Lining | Check locally | PHA linings are newer — confirm current ACT guidance for compostable linings on paperboard. |
| Fossil Plastic | Check locally | |
| Wood & Bamboo | Check locally |
New South Wales
Single-use plastic straws, cutlery, plates and expanded polystyrene foodware are banned. Check council rules for compostable alternatives.
Cutlery & straws:
Compostable bioplastic cutlery, stirrers and straws are banned for sale or supply in this state.
| Material | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous | Compliant | Paperboard with aqueous coating is generally outside NSW lightweight plastic bans when no conventional plastic lining is used. |
| Plant Fibre | Compliant | Plant fibre food service ware is outside NSW plastic bans when no banned plastic lining is used. |
| PLA Bioplastic | Affected | NSW bans include compostable plastic cutlery, stirrers and straws. Other PLA food service items may still be sold — check item type. |
| FSC™ Paper and Birchwood | Compliant | Paper napkins, bags and wooden cutlery are outside NSW plastic bans. |
| Paper (non-FSC) | Check locally | |
| PHA Lining | Check locally | Verify NSW treatment of PHA-lined paperboard for your product category. |
| Fossil Plastic | Check locally | |
| Wood & Bamboo | Check locally |
Northern Territory
Banned: plastic bags, straws, cutlery, plates and polystyrene containers. Check your local council or shire.
| Material | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous | Check locally | NT rules evolve — verify current exemptions for aqueous-coated board. |
| Plant Fibre | Compliant | Plant fibre products are generally permitted under NT single-use plastic rules. |
| PLA Bioplastic | Check locally | NT is aligning with national directions — verify PLA item category before supply. |
| FSC™ Paper and Birchwood | Compliant | Paper and wood fibre products are generally permitted. |
| Paper (non-FSC) | Check locally | |
| PHA Lining | Check locally | Confirm NT rules for compostable polymer linings. |
| Fossil Plastic | Check locally | |
| Wood & Bamboo | Check locally |
Queensland
Banned: plastic straws, cutlery, plates, polystyrene containers and stirrers. Expanded bans under review for 2026–27.
| Material | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous | Compliant | Queensland bans target specific plastic items; aqueous-coated fibre board is typically permitted. |
| Plant Fibre | Compliant | Plant fibre containers and lids are not listed banned items in Queensland. |
| PLA Bioplastic | Affected | Queensland restricts certain single-use plastics; PLA cutlery and straws are restricted — other PLA ware may be permitted. |
| FSC™ Paper and Birchwood | Compliant | Paper and wooden food service items are not listed banned plastics in Queensland. |
| Paper (non-FSC) | Check locally | |
| PHA Lining | Check locally | Verify Queensland treatment of PHA-lined board. |
| Fossil Plastic | Check locally | |
| Wood & Bamboo | Check locally |
South Australia
From 1 March 2026, each certified compostable food container and cup must be individually labelled home, industrial or both compostable.
Cutlery & straws:
Compostable bioplastic cutlery, stirrers and straws are banned for sale or supply in this state.
| Material | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous | Compliant | South Australia restrictions focus on conventional plastics and specific banned items, not aqueous-coated paper. |
| Plant Fibre | Compliant | Plant fibre ware is permitted — SA bans target conventional and compostable plastic cutlery/straws separately. |
| PLA Bioplastic | Affected | SA bans compostable plastic cutlery, stirrers and straws. Other PLA items may be permitted. |
| FSC™ Paper and Birchwood | Compliant | Paper and birchwood cutlery are permitted — SA bans target plastic and compostable plastic cutlery instead. |
| Paper (non-FSC) | Check locally | |
| PHA Lining | Check locally | Confirm SA guidance for PHA-lined paper products. |
| Fossil Plastic | Check locally | |
| Wood & Bamboo | Check locally |
Tasmania
Banned: plastic bags, straws, cutlery and plates. Further harmonisation with national targets is expected.
| Material | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous | Check locally | Tasmania is phasing in bans — confirm aqueous-coated board status for your SKU. |
| Plant Fibre | Compliant | Plant fibre products are generally permitted under Tasmanian rules. |
| PLA Bioplastic | Check locally | Tasmania is implementing bans in stages — confirm PLA item type. |
| FSC™ Paper and Birchwood | Compliant | Paper and wood products are generally permitted. |
| Paper (non-FSC) | Check locally | |
| PHA Lining | Check locally | Confirm Tasmanian rules for compostable linings. |
| Fossil Plastic | Check locally | |
| Wood & Bamboo | Check locally |
Victoria
From 30 June 2026, EPA Victoria takes over Recycling Victoria functions. Compostable packaging must not go in kerbside FOGO per state guidance.
Cutlery & straws:
Compostable bioplastic cutlery, stirrers and straws are banned for sale or supply in this state.
| Material | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous | Compliant | Victorian bans target specific single-use plastics; aqueous-coated paperboard is generally permitted. |
| Plant Fibre | Compliant | Plant fibre moulded ware is not a banned plastic item under Victorian regulations. |
| PLA Bioplastic | Affected | Victoria bans compostable plastic cutlery, stirrers and straws. Other PLA food service items may be permitted. |
| FSC™ Paper and Birchwood | Compliant | Paper and wooden items are not banned under Victorian plastic regulations. |
| Paper (non-FSC) | Check locally | |
| PHA Lining | Check locally | Verify Victorian treatment of PHA-lined paperboard. |
| Fossil Plastic | Check locally | |
| Wood & Bamboo | Check locally |
Western Australia
Banned items include plastic straws, cutlery, plates, polystyrene food containers and thick plastic bags. Phase 2 expansion underway.
Cutlery & straws:
Compostable bioplastic cutlery, stirrers and straws are banned for sale or supply in this state.
| Material | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous | Compliant | Western Australia bans specific plastic items; aqueous-coated fibre products are typically allowed. |
| Plant Fibre | Compliant | Plant fibre products are generally permitted in WA. |
| PLA Bioplastic | Affected | WA bans compostable plastic cutlery, stirrers and straws. Other PLA items may be permitted. |
| FSC™ Paper and Birchwood | Compliant | Paper and birchwood products are generally permitted in WA. |
| Paper (non-FSC) | Check locally | |
| PHA Lining | Check locally | Confirm WA guidance for PHA-lined products. |
| Fossil Plastic | Check locally | |
| Wood & Bamboo | Check locally |
Guidance only. Rules change — confirm with your state environment agency before relying on this for compliance decisions.