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Party and takeaway plastics face bin but Govt pops balloon ban call

Plastic cups, food containers and balloon ties are on a list of items under consideration for a South Australian sales ban, but the state government says balloons won’t be included. 

Feb 10, 2022, updated Feb 10, 2022
Balloons outside a shop on the Parade Photo: AAP/Kelly Barnes

Balloons outside a shop on the Parade Photo: AAP/Kelly Barnes

Green Industries SA is undertaking consultation for what single use plastics should be phased out in 2023, with party supplies in the firing line for reform.

Product groups flagged for priority in a consultation document include plastic balloon sticks and ties, while plastic confetti is also being considered.

Plastic cups, lids, food containers, plates and bowls are also highlighted for priority consideration.

Conservation Council of SA Chief Executive Craig Wilkins told InDaily that the regulation should go further however, by banning balloons themselves along with other plastic party supplies.

“The evidence is clear, it does impact on wildlife, which would horrify most people who love to celebrate in a way that doesn’t do harm,” he said.

In a submission to Green Industries SA, the Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council proposed that plastic balloons, plastic streamers and ribbons be banned so they don’t end up in waterways.

The council suggested party decoration alternatives such as paper chains and flower garlands be used at events instead.

Plastic strings tied to balloons are the biggest killer of seabirds from marine debris in Australia, according to the CSIRO and the University of Tasmania.

In a 2021 study, the researchers analysed the cause of death of more than 1700 birds and found balloon string was the biggest culprit.

Ivy Bui, the director of Puff and Pop Balloons in Findon, told InDaily that a ban on plastic balloons would decimate her industry.

“It would affect business very poorly — all will shut down, including ourselves,” she said.

Bui said latex balloons decompose much faster than other plastics, and did what she could to minimise their impact.

“I understand where people are coming from with the environment — we don’t promote release of balloons into the air and encourage clients to dispose of balloons in bins,” she said. “We say no when customers want to buy balloons to release into the air at a funeral, even though it costs us money.”

Bui said a ban on plastic confetti would be easier for her industry to adapt to, as paper alternatives were easier to source.

Natural latex can be biodegradable, however the addition of chemicals and dyes prolongs the time balloons remain in the environment, and can block the intestines of animals that mistake them for food.

A spokesperson for Environment Minister David Speirs told InDaily balloons were not under consideration for a ban, pointing to the consultation document’s reference to existing regulation that councils can enforce.

“We are always looking at what other items could be included and there is currently a discussion paper which outlines plastic items which we could consider next such as coffee cups, plastic bowls and plates, however, balloons are not something we are looking at banning,” Speirs told InDaily in a statement.

The consultation document reads that “the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016 applies to litter to land and water, including from balloons, and local councils are able to enforce these provisions where appropriate.”

Last year SA became the first state in Australia to ban plastic drinking straws, stirrers and cutlery from sale, supply or distribution.

On March 1 a second round of items will be banned, including polystyrene cups, bowls, plates and clam-shell containers, and oxo-degradable plastic products.

The proposal now being considered woulda outlaw items including plastic balloon sticks and ties no later than 1 March 2023.

Cardboard balloon holders and bamboo balloon sticks were cited by Green Industries SA as alternatives.

Business SA Chief Executive Martin Haese told InDaily he called on all businesses to “consider the sustainability of their operations” and take advantage of the SA government consultation process.

“Sustainability used to be seen as a niche environmental field that was ‘nice to have’. But the tide has turned with the public calling on businesses to show their credentials when it comes to the reuse, recycling and the composibility of packaging and products,” he said.

Haese encouraged business owners to reach out to Business SA’s policy team to join the “discussion” about the reforms on single-use plastics.

It comes as a new WWF study found that 88 per cent of marine species studied are negatively impacted by plastic, and that plastic debris in the ocean is projected to quadruple by 2050.

Wilkins said the first phase of the plastics ban had been a “really successful process” and that other items that should be considered for a ban include more food and drink packaging, such as the fish-shaped plastic soy sauce bottles that come with sushi.

“There was a lot of engagement with business, a lot of time to allow them to transition,” he said.

“It’s not like the government is trying to convince the community about single use plastics — the community has been calling for this.”

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