The Western Australian Government has expanded its Plan for Plastics regulations and next year will ban single-use plastic promotional film used in outdoor retail signage and election advertising. The ban does not include plastic banners or adhesive vinyl signage.
“An additional item has been added to Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics regulations: single-use plastic promotional film,” the WA government announced.
“This type of plastic material is commonly used in retail and election advertising signage. Most of this plastic is typically used for very short periods and usually ends up in landfill."
The purchase and use of single-use plastic promotional film for short-term outdoor applications will be banned in Western Australia from March 2024.
“Short term use refers to signage which is used as temporary or transient signage and which is intended for a single-use only,” said a press release.
“Single-use plastic promotional film is commonly used for advertising. The film is harmful to the environment when it is not disposed of correctly. This type of plastic film can blow away, fragment in the environment and end up in waterways or oceans. It is made from petroleum-based materials, which are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose. This type of plastic film is characterised as ‘single-use’ with limited opportunities for recycling.
“Targeted consultation with relevant stakeholders will be conducted in the latter part of 2023. For more information, see the single-use plastic promotional film web page and fact sheet.
"Forms of plastic signage that would not be banned include:
Plastic flagging or banners
Health and safety
Heavier plastics used in canvas signage, which typically have reinforcement points and are tied up with rope or cable ties
Heavier fence mesh wraps
Adhesive vinyl signage."
