Regulation Guide
8 min read
By Pedro Carreira
Updated 25 June 2026
DEECA / EPA Victoria
Regulating Authority
Fines for supplying banned ite
Max Penalties
Restaurants, cafes, takeaway o
Who It Affects
Single-Use Plastics Ban affects Restaurants, cafes, takeaway outlets, event caterers, retailers, supermarkets, and any business supplying single-use plastic items to customers. Victoria's phased ban on single-use plastic items including straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, expanded polystyrene food containers, and cotton bud sticks. Part of national harmonisation efforts. Understanding and complying with this regulation is essential to avoid penalties and ensure responsible waste management.
What Is Single-Use Plastics Ban?
Victoria's phased ban on single-use plastic items including straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, expanded polystyrene food containers, and cotton bud sticks. Part of national harmonisation efforts.
Key Requirements for Businesses
- Banned items: plastic straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, EPS food containers, cotton bud sticks
- Phase 2 bans include additional items such as plastic produce bags
- Alternatives must be genuinely compostable (AS 4736/AS 5810) or reusable
- Exemptions for people with disability requiring plastic straws
- Businesses must update procurement to compliant alternatives
- Compostable alternatives must be clearly labelled
Penalties and Enforcement
Fines for supplying banned items. Enforcement progressively increasing. Businesses must transition to reusable or certified compostable alternatives.
How to Ensure Compliance
To ensure compliance with Single-Use Plastics Ban, businesses should: maintain accurate waste records, use licensed waste transporters, and conduct regular waste audits. Bundle Waste includes a compliance review as part of every free waste audit.
Related Waste Services
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What waste management does a Melbourne commercial composting facility need?+
Composting facilities themselves generate: contamination removed from feedstock (plastics, metals — 5–15% of incoming volume), equipment waste, and office waste. Facilities must hold EPA operating licences. Fire prevention per EPA Publication 1667.2 is critical. Odour management is the primary community concern. Facilities accept food and green waste at $100–160/tonne, producing compost sold at $30–80/tonne.
What are the main waste management laws in Victoria?+
Key legislation: Environment Protection Act 2017, Environment Protection Regulations 2021, Climate Change Act 2017, Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021. The EP Act 2017 introduced a general environmental duty (GED) requiring all businesses to minimise risks of harm from pollution and waste.
What is the General Environmental Duty in Victoria?+
The GED under Section 25 of the EP Act 2017 requires businesses to take reasonably practicable steps to minimise risks of harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste. This is proactive — you must manage risks before harm occurs. Penalties reach about $2.03 million for corporations.
Do I need an EPA licence for waste management in Victoria?+
You need an EPA licence if you operate a scheduled premises (landfill, transfer station, waste treatment facility) or transport prescribed industrial waste. General businesses generating standard commercial waste do not need a licence but must use licensed transporters and disposal facilities.
What is prescribed industrial waste in Victoria?+
Prescribed Industrial Waste (PIW) includes: chemicals, solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, asbestos, clinical waste, contaminated soil, and waste oils. PIW is classified under the EP Regulations 2021 and must be tracked through EPA's waste tracking system. Penalties for illegal PIW disposal reach about $2.03 million.
What are the penalties for illegal waste disposal in Victoria?+
Penalties under the EP Act 2017: indexed in penalty units (one unit = $203.51 in 2025-26) and rising each 1 July: aggravated littering can reach about $407,000 (2,000 penalty units) and serious pollution offences about $2.03 million for corporations (10,000 penalty units), while lower-level littering attracts smaller on-the-spot fines. Criminal penalties can include imprisonment.
Need Help With Compliance?
Bundle Waste ensures your waste management setup meets all Victorian regulatory requirements. Free compliance review included with every audit.
Get Your Free Audit →
Updated 25 June 2026
