Disposable coffee cups and lids to be banned in Queensland

Queensland is set to ban disposable coffee cups and lids as the state gradually phases out single-use plastics over the next five years.

The state government is expected to unveil its plans on Friday to cut down on waste that includes popular items such as plastic drinking cups and takeaway containers.

Environment minister Meaghan Scanlon revealed coffee cups will be among the disposable products to be given the axe and replaced with sustainable alternatives. 

Queensland is set to ban disposable coffee cups and lids as the state gradually phases out single-use plastics over the next five years (stock image)

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Environment minister Meaghan Scanlon revealed coffee cups will be among the disposable products to be given the axe and replaced with sustainable alternatives (stock image)

‘Of course, we will continue to work with retailers, community groups and suppliers so they have the alternative products in place,’ she told Courier Mail. 

‘That’ll begin with getting to work straight away on replacements for coffee cups through an Innovation Challenge – with further details to be announced soon – to get Queensland businesses working on the alternatives we need.’

Plastic stemmed cotton buds, polystyrene loose packaging and plastic microbeads will be among the first to go with the products banned in September 2023.

Mass balloon releases will also be prohibited to reduce the amount of plastic ending up in the oceans.

‘Single-use plastics are problematic, and Queenslanders have made it clear they want to give more of them the punt,’ Ms Scanlon said.

‘They don’t break down. They fill up our dumps and they kill wildlife.’

Plastic drinking cups, oxo-degradable plastics and expanded polystyrene trays will be next on the chopping block and phased out in September 2024.

The state government is expected to unveil its plans on Friday to cut down on waste that includes popular items such as plastic drinking cups and takeaway containers (stock image)

Single-use produce bags, balloon sticks, closures, clips, and bread bag tags will also be banned. 

Bait bags, plastic dome lids and takeaway containers will then be phased out in September 2025.

Heavy fines could be enforced with business owners charged as much as $6,800 if they are caught selling the prohibited items.