Meng and Lily Ung have owned the Oriana Food Bar in Fyshwick for seven years having always relied on single-use plastic to run their takeaway business.
"We always have trades and construction people coming in and only have 15 minutes for their meal, so they always takeaway," Mr Ung said.
Plastic and polystyrene products have been the easiest and cheapest option to deliver this service.
The food bar will have to find an alternative before the single-use plastic ban becomes enforceable in July. However, they haven't started looking and have months of stock to use up before they can viably make the permanent switch to a sustainable option.
They also have to test different options to make sure packaging can withstand water, grease and oil like plastic can.
Mr Ung said the expected increase in cost for sustainable packaging would only have a minor impact on prices for consumers.
"We will probably have to [increase prices]. But the consumer cannot afford too much of an increase. It's about adjusting," he said.
Lily Ung criticised the time period the ACT government expects local businesses to transition to plastic-free alternatives.
"There needs to be more time for us to organise better; we haven't got a clue what to do," she said.
"If they have to rule it [single-use plastics] out I understand".
Carlos Ramirez, the owner of street food venture Mr Papa's, largely made the switch to sustainable packaging during the COVID period.
After witnessing the amount of plastic that was being used for delivery, Ramirez made the bold, internal decision to change packaging.
The switch wasn't immediate as the business had to phase out old stock, source and then implement new. All in all the process took two-to-three months - the same amount of time asked of plastic using businesses to make the switch now.
"We were always keen to go in that direction as it is the right thing to do," he said.
The switch has seen packaging prices increase by 30-40 per cent, and despite this Mr Papa's has maintained the same price-points on its products.
"We had a well received impact [from the switch] which changed the behaviour of consumers, and balanced out the costs [of sustainable packaging]," Ramirez said.
He found consumers were ordering more products and were more satisfied with their experience.
Ramirez did criticise the implementation of the ban, where he highlighted the government's lack of strategy in guiding businesses through the change.
"Any decision in that sense would be well received if it's traders are educated, guided and supported," he said.
"There has been information but not as much strategy."
Ramirez wanted to see a situation similar to when government's guided local businesses through the economic circumstances of COVID-19.
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