South Australia Leads the Way in Reducing Plastic Waste

Introduction to the Ban

South Australia is the first place in the world to ban soy sauce-shaped containers as part of a broader effort to reduce one-way plastic. From September 1st, these small containers, often included in sushi meals to take away, will be prohibited in the state.

Background and Previous Efforts

The move is part of an update to previous environmental laws from September 2023, which banned supermarket carriers, plastic straws, cutlery, drinks, cotton buds, and confetti. This latest step will also cover fruit and vegetable stickers that are not compostable, as well as pre-packed cups and bowls for meals to take away.

History of Soy Sauce Containers

Soy sauce containers, invented in Japan in the 1950s, were initially made of glass or ceramic before being replaced with plastic. According to experts, these containers, also known as Shoyu-Tai or soy sauce snappers, are often too small to be processed by recycling sorting machines and frequently end up in landfills.

Impact and Similar Movements

A ban on disposable plastic panels, cutlery, and certain types of polystyrene cups and containers has been in force in England since October 2023. The government claims that this legislation, which also introduced charges for plastic bags, led to a 97% decline in sales. Similar movements have taken place in Scotland and Wales, demonstrating a growing trend towards reducing plastic waste.