A long-awaited ban on single-use plastics in Canberra is set to pass the ACT Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Under the ban, plastic cutlery, drink-stirrers and polystyrene cups would be outlawed in the territory from July.
Plastic straws, plastic bags for fruit and vegetables and all products made from degradable plastic would be phased out next year.
Other single-use plastics such as plastic-lined coffee cups and lids, plastic dinnerware and heavyweight plastic bags are being considered for future phase outs from 2023.
The bill will be debated on Tuesday after it was introduced to the assembly late last year. The ACT government had originally planned to implement the ban in mid-2020 but it was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic as restrictions impacted the government's consultation.
The bill provides a framework for the for the progressive phase out of single-use plastics over time.
City Services Minister Chris Steel said the government would work with community, business and industry to implement the phase out.
"Canberrans are already some of the nation's best recyclers and we know this shift away from single-use plastics is strongly supported by the Canberra community," he said.
"It's been fantastic to see that so many local businesses have already made the switch to more sustainable materials, reflecting our community's values.
"Now we are making sure there is a level playing field for all businesses by banning the sale and use of cheap single-use plastics which do so much harm to our environment."
As part of the legislation, the government will also have the power to declare public events, such as Floriade, major festivals and sporting matches, as single-use plastic-free.
This would be an Australian-first but any decision to declare an event single-use plastic-free would be in close consultation with event organisers.
Exemptions will be made to ensure people who need to use plastic straws will still be able to access and use them.
Under the law, fines of $8000 could apply to people who sell or distribute a so-called prohibited plastic product.
But the ACT government will take an "educative" approach to compliance under the first stages of the ban.
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