Nation-first ban on fish-shaped plastic soy sauce containers begins in SA

They are one of the crucial acquainted sights amongst takeaway sushi outlets around the globe, however from at present, fish-shaped plastic soy sauce containers are formally on the way in which out in South Australia.

In the state’s newest transfer to section out single-use plastics, SA has develop into the primary place within the nation to ban the small fish-shaped containers, from September 1, 2025.

From at present, any plastic fish containers with a lid, cap or stopper, containing lower than 30ml of soy sauce shall be banned, together with small rectangular containers.

So, what is the different?

While it is hoped companies will deal with offering bulk bottles or dispensers of soy sauce in retailer, plastic sachets can even be allowed in sushi outlets as a substitute.

Environment Minister Susan Close stated ideally, companies will keep away from single-use plastics altogether, however sachets are nonetheless an enchancment.

“They are still plastics, but they’re much lighter weight, much easier to dispose, and a lot less wasteful,” Ms Close stated at a press convention on Saturday.

Ms Close stated soy sauce sachets require much less power to fabricate, and are safer for birds and marine life.

“You can imagine there is sea life that would want to eat something that looks a bit like a fish, so this is one of the worst examples, of wasteful, and harmful single-use plastic and it’s about time we got rid of them,” she stated. 

Plastic espresso cups and takeaway meals containers are amongst different gadgets which have additionally been phased out in SA since 2021.

What do enterprise house owners suppose?

Stella is a co-owner of Sushi Block within the Adelaide CBD and stated she’s happy with the change, however it would take some adjusting for companies.

“We were given some notice so we’ve just been working with suppliers to give us a replacement, which no longer has that plastic shaped fish that everyone’s so used to,” she advised ABC Radio Adelaide.

“If we do run out then we do have the glass bottle dispenser.”

She stated it is doubtless companies will run out of the paper sachets as suppliers adapt to the change.

“There is very limited supply of those little packets,” she stated.

“With all of the packaging, switching from plastic to paper … there’s all [sorts of] prices related.”

Tamika-Lee Morrow, who also works at Sushi Block, said it would be a small cost that was passed on to customers.

“There shall be prospects who aren’t so comfortable about it, they are going to be a bit upset, which we perceive,” she stated.

“But we’re hoping that they only see this as an even bigger a part of the image to being a small step in direction of serving to the environment.” 

What else has been banned?

The gadgets are disappearing as a part of an extended record of single-use plastics that the SA authorities has banned for environmental causes.

In 2009, South Australia became the first state to ban lightweight plastic shopping bags.

The state banned the sale or distribution of plastic straws, cutlery and drink stirrers in 2021.

In 2023, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, plastic pizza savers, single-use plastic plates and bowls were banned.

Plastic produce baggage and thicker boutique-style baggage, expanded polystyrene client meals and beverage containers, plastic balloon sticks have been amongst gadgets banned in 2024, in addition to single-use plastic espresso cups and plastic lids.

SA was also set to become the first Australian state to ban stickers on fruit and vegetables in September but has delayed the change.

The decision to delay came after the industry warned it would drive up costs for producers and damage the national supply chain.

The SA authorities stated it might proceed working with NSW to create a brand new phase-out timeline.

SA and WA main the way in which

Western Australia and South Australia are leading the race to tackle single-use plastics.

In 2021, state and territory governments signed on to a voluntary national agreement to phase out eight types of “problematic and pointless” plastic waste.

However, it’s up to individual states and territories to phase out the plastics on their own timeline.

According to a 2023 report from WWF-Australia, every state and territory has phased out plastic bags.

It’s a similar story for items like plastic plates and bowls, straws, cutlery and expanded polystyrene cups and containers used for takeaway food.

They’ve been phased out everywhere except the NT and Tasmania, which have committed to doing so by 2025.

While WA and SA have cast forward with plans to section out single-use espresso cups, it is not but being thought of by Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania and NSW.

SA premier expects others to observe

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the latest move to ban fish-shaped soy sauce containers was another step forward in the state’s bid for environmental reform.

“We know that plastics can play an necessary position in our financial system and our society however once they’re single-use, they’re usually going on to waste,” he said at a press conference on Monday morning.

“And to the extent that you could minimise that waste, that has an entire vary of environmental advantages.

“We’re committed to making sure that we have a progressive government that is seeking to address environmental reform where we can, and mitigating the use of single-use plastics is a good thing to do.”

He stated the state had a “proud tradition” of main the nation on the subject of environmental reform and he anticipated different states to observe.

“We’ve got a proud history of that in South Australia and I imagine that will continue for some time to come.”

An ACT authorities spokesperson from stated fish-shaped soy sauce containers weren’t presently into consideration for a ban, however the territory was dedicated to phasing out “problematic” waste.

“Plastic single-serve soy sauce fish packaging is currently not banned in the ACT and is not under consideration for banning in the future at this stage,” a spokesperson stated.

“However, the ACT government has committed to continue to identify problematic waste streams, including single-use plastics with suitable alternatives, that can be phased out from circulation.”