A controversial plan to ban the use of compostable plastic bags in household food waste bins has come under fire from its harshest critics.
More than 2.6 million households in Victoria could soon be banned from using plastic bags in their rubbish bins and instead using paper alternatives, in a bold state government move designed to cut pollution as part of an overhaul of litter and recycling.
The change proposed by Jacinta Allan’s government follows warnings from local councils about huge levels of pollution in green bins, even when residents use the wrong type of bags.
Pollution has become a growing problem since the organic food and garden system was adopted in 27 of the state’s 79 councils in recent years.
Other Victorian councils are expected to follow suit by 2030.
There is a lot of concern that compostable plastic liners and other products, such as coffee cups, take too long to disintegrate and make it difficult to remove other contaminants if kept closed.
Many households are also reportedly failing to use the correct certified compostable liners, leading to huge levels of plastic pollution.
Opposition environmental spokesman James Newbury said the move was motivated by “ideology”.
A Victorian Government plan to ban the use of compostable plastic bags in household food waste bins has been criticised by the state opposition. (file image)
“Only Prime Minister Allan and the Labour Party would have a plan to ban biodegradable bags and force people to throw away their wet food waste in brown paper bags, which will tear apart,” he said. Herald of the Sun.
Compost bags classified as AS 4736 and AS 5810 are currently permitted in Victoria, but the Draft Household Waste and Recycling Service Standard – 2024 could mean that compostable bin bags will not be accepted in green bins in the future.
Richard Tegoni, chief executive of waste management company SECOS, fears households will have to deal with the smell and mess of handling their food waste by hand or with buckets.
The proposed changes also affect other types of bins used in Victoria, including a ban on plastic meat trays, frozen food cartons and all cordial bottles being placed in yellow bins.
Victorian councils could transition to a four-bin system (pictured), including a new glass bin with a purple lid, by 1 July 2027, three years earlier than the original 2030 plan.
There is also a proposal for Victorian councils to transition to a four-bin system, including a new glass bin with a purple lid, by 1 July 2027, three years earlier than the original plan of 2030.
A government spokesman said people could have their say on the future of the state’s waste management system.
“We are currently consulting on a draft Service Standard that sets out which items can be sorted into each of the four bins to reduce contamination and maximise the amount of recycled materials that can be reused and turned into new products,” they said.
Submissions on the proposed changes close next week.