2025-09-15
The ACT Greens are calling on the ACT Labor Government to follow South Australia’s ban on single-use plastic soy sauce fish and develop a plan to phase out the containers in Canberra.
ACT Greens Deputy Leader, Jo Clay, said the government has done this before and should expand their efforts, in consultation with the community and impacted businesses, to create a more sustainable Canberra.
“Canberrans want to do the right thing by the planet. But it isn’t always easy and too often our systems put the blame and guilt on individuals rather than provide convenient and accessible solutions for people,” Ms Clay said.
“But Government has changed these systems before. They’ve banned single use plastics – like cutlery, bowls, plates, polystyrene takeaway containers and much more – in partnership with impacted businesses and in consultation with the community.
“Our new recycling facility will not recycle small items of plastic like the soy sauce containers. Government needs to start working on how they will support people to find suitable, accessible and non-disposable alternatives.
“If we don’t ban or recycle these items, they have a higher chance to become litter, run off into our waterways, and cause real harm to our birds, fish and wildlife that mistake them for food.
“There are already solutions that have a low impact on the community – like soy sauce bottles being provided at cafes and restaurants. Government doesn’t really have a strong reason to not consider this – despite saying it is not being considered.
“My question to the ACT Labor Government is will you run consultation on how to ban soy sauce fish, and change plans so small plastics can be recycled in our new facility?
“Or will you condemn these containers and other items of small plastic to landfill and as litter in our parks and public places forever?"
Under the Plastics Reduction Act 2021, the ACT Government has powers to ban single-use plastics. The Government also has a Circular Economy Strategy and has set the world’s first zero waste target.