Plastic Straws Are Now Banned in Victoria

jv on 01/02/2023 - 14:39

As of today, plastic straws are banned in Victoria.

https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/politics/victoria-…

"Businesses caught using those items can be fined $1849 and individuals face a fine of $370."
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/soft-plastics-20…

I've stocked up for a couple of decades because I can't stand the paper ones at Maccas and 7-Eleven.
Will be using them illegally I suppose behind closed curtains at home.
So will I be fined if I BYO when I get an iced latte at Maccas or a Slurpee at 7-Eleven?

Who will be policing this? Will Dan Andrews hire Protective Straw Officers (PSOs)

Food & Grocery Straw

Comments

  • Boioioioi on 01/02/2023 - 14:48
    +55

    Just use ya mouth JV

    • jv on 01/02/2023 - 15:10
      +6

      Can't enjoy a Slurpee that way.

      • Vater Woods on 02/02/2023 - 09:43
        +3

        Them sent out undercover officers to businesses pretending to be customer, 12k fine for each instance. 12k fine is the amount state officer told me when they came to inform us of the ban.

        News.com is saying 1.9k, which is odd.

        • GG57 on 02/02/2023 - 10:42
          +5

          Perhaps the fine is per straw?

          • Vater Woods on 02/02/2023 - 10:50

            @GG57: Or any plastic cutlery

            • GG57 on 02/02/2023 - 10:52
              +1

              @Vater Woods:

              …when they came to inform us of the ban.

              Seems reasonable, not unexpected.

              • Vater Woods on 02/02/2023 - 10:54
                +1

                @GG57: They even left a poster behind, urging customers to bring they own reusable containers, since single use plastic containers is also banned.

                • GG57 on 02/02/2023 - 12:14
                  +1

                  @Vater Woods: Great initiative

                  • Grazz989 on 03/02/2023 - 00:35
                    +1

                    @GG57: Utterly stupid, self-flagellation at it's finest.

                • Mario g on 03/02/2023 - 12:33

                  @Vater Woods: id like you to explain single use plastic containers.?

                  • Vater Woods on 03/02/2023 - 12:41
                    +2

                    @Mario g: Emmm, you know those Chinese restaurants?

                    After you dine in, they put your left over in those plastic containers to take home?

                    Those ones are the one I have been told not to use.

                    • Mario g on 03/02/2023 - 12:42

                      @Vater Woods: thats being misinformed - you can use them

                    • ATangk on 03/02/2023 - 13:54

                      @Vater Woods: But plastic bags are okay as long as they're 'reusable'. Would the same apply to 'reusable' plastic containers?

                      • Vater Woods on 03/02/2023 - 13:57

                        @ATangk: They left a poster urging customers to bring their own reusable containers.

                        • ATangk on 03/02/2023 - 16:03

                          @Vater Woods: Guess you need to stock up on reusable containers to sell :). New side business.

        • JPerez on 05/02/2023 - 12:53

          That's something similar my grandparents told stories about. Wtf.

      • anonymous01 on 02/02/2023 - 20:12

        You can buy straws made of Pasta. Haven't tried it myself, but they meant to last lot longer in liquid.

        • Assburg on 03/02/2023 - 08:57
          +7

          8.5 minutes in boiling water, I'd imagine.

        • captaincabinets on 03/02/2023 - 18:03

          Tried one in Bali recently. Was fine at first, slightly slimy after a little while. More solid than paper though and if your meal didn't satisfy you (and you're a bit desperate), you can eat it after.

      • markathome on 03/02/2023 - 08:25
        +9

        Who will be policing this? Will Dan Andrews hire Protective Straw Officers (PSOs)

        In fairness, jv this is ridiculous. Based on history…

        • There will be an initial lockdown based on a paper straw failure across Australia for five months
        • A bungle in Victoria will lead Dan Andrews to extend the lockdown in Victoria - he will blame another minister and then the Victorian public for non-compliance in paper straw usage
        • Tony Abbott will call this the longest straw lockdown in history but will be corrected by ABC/RMIT Fact Check pointing out there was a longer cutlery-related lockdown in some Chilean village in the 1940s
      • quikchip on 05/02/2023 - 02:43

        Slurpee with spoon

    • Ridiculous Panda on 02/02/2023 - 06:05
      +1

      And no hands.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/02/2023 - 14:48
    +89

    Maybe you need to get a sippy cup until you've mastered drinking from a big cup without needing a straw

    • jv on 01/02/2023 - 15:14
      +26

      you can still get a paper straw, but they collapse before the drink is finished.

      • [Deactivated] on 01/02/2023 - 15:15
        +14

        Where is the bold, jv?

        • jv on 01/02/2023 - 15:20
          +13

          My hair grew back.

      • barbarella on 01/02/2023 - 16:30
        +6

        I know of other things that collapse before the job is done :P

        • djsweet on 02/02/2023 - 10:57

          tmi, we don't need to know what goes on in your bedroom

      • connorlo on 02/02/2023 - 11:05
        +1

        Have to agree here. I take my own big plastic straws to the movies, otherwise I use about 5-6 paper ones

      • KiwiTheGreat on 02/02/2023 - 11:26

        Just use another one maybe?

      • drfuzzy on 02/02/2023 - 20:41

        Kind of like one of your deals?

      • Ultimate Gattai on 03/02/2023 - 00:13

        How strange, I've had drinks at multiple places and never had the paper straw collapse on me, Idk how this happens to people.

        • jv on 03/02/2023 - 00:15

          I've had drinks at multiple places

          for a frozen drink?

        • Tleyx on 03/02/2023 - 12:33
          +2

          They use too much saliva on them. They have the wrong technique

        • BewareOfThe Dog on 03/02/2023 - 12:41
          +2

          jv likes to enjoy the experience by slurping slowly.

    • djsweet on 02/02/2023 - 10:59
      +2

      do you normally drink a milkshake, thickshake, or vodka cruiser without a straw?

  • Fergy1987 on 01/02/2023 - 14:51
    +18

    Little do they know if you go to an adult shop you can stock up on novelty penis straws in plastic. Buy them by the hundreds and never use a paper straw ever again.

    ……….i mean…….you will be drinking through a d1ck though.

  • Techie4066 on 01/02/2023 - 14:55
    +17

    A jv post! Do my eyes deceive me? Your first post in over a year and a half, and second in over four years - you've kept us in the dark all this time!

    • orangetrain on 01/02/2023 - 15:11
      +7

      A jv post! Do my eyes deceive me? Your first post in over a year and a half, and second in over four years - you've kept us in the dark all this time!

      • [Deactivated] on 01/02/2023 - 15:13
        +1

        LOL

        Too many words, right?

    • onetwothreefour on 01/02/2023 - 16:32
      +2

      I'm looking forward to jv's 100,000 comment, it's coming soon.

      • Ghost47 on 01/02/2023 - 18:08
        -1

        it's coming soon.

        Just like jv?

      • jv on 01/02/2023 - 20:33
        +1

        Did you get the invite?

    • smartazz104 on 02/02/2023 - 08:26
      +6

      And it's a thinly-veiled complaint about Victoria…

    • kaleidoscope on 03/02/2023 - 17:43
      +1

      He's here for the big problems.

  • djsweet on 01/02/2023 - 14:59
    +30

    My young child burns through about 10 cardboard straws when drinking a drink at a restaurant due to their tendency to disintegrate when sucked/chewed. If you're going to ban plastic at least come up with a viable alternative first…

    • jjjaar on 01/02/2023 - 15:02
      +19

      Reusable straws are very easy to come by. For most of us, this, or not using a straw, is an easy alternative.

      Disabled people or other people who need single plastic straws are still allowed to buy and use them.

      • djsweet on 01/02/2023 - 15:07
        +2

        Interesting… does that mean if you go to a restaurant and you are disabled or a toddler, you can still ask for a plastic straw and they can still provide you with one? I mean reusable straws are disgusting. I have them at home, but no way would I be using one from a restaurant. And I'm not always going to remember to bring one for my child if we go to a restaurant. So it doesn't really solve the problem.

        • jjjaar on 01/02/2023 - 15:13
          +8

          So theoretically yes you can ask for one, but they’re not obliged to have them on hand. The advice has been to BYO if you need one (yay another cost for disabled people! /s)

          My suggestion on reusable was for people to bring those with them too, not for the restaurants to provide reusable ones. Though, curiously, why is this disgusting, but forks, spoons and knives ok?

          Also, do you carry a bottle of water with you for your toddler with an inbuilt straw? Could you use one of these for them?

          • djsweet on 01/02/2023 - 15:52
            +5

            @jjjaar: Its mostly unsanitary because there is an enclosed space where moister hangs out and grows mould. Filth builds up because its hard to clean. Reusable straws are not usually transparent which means you can't see any of this. In-built straws grow mould and stuff too, but usually they are transparent so you can clean them effectively.

            • jjjaar on 01/02/2023 - 16:48
              +4

              @djsweet: If a restaurant provided a stainless steel one for soft drinks / juices / 100% liquid items, it would be just as clean as all the other cutlery items.

              If it was for smoothies then agree, being able to make sure it is clean is useful. Glass ones are becoming more available.

              Though if you like the idea of restaurant cutlery being clean… never look between the prongs on a fork…

              Whatever reusable option, making sure it’s dishwasher safe and can be cleaned with the heat of the water is key.

            • johnno07 on 02/02/2023 - 08:44
              -3

              @djsweet: If you're disgusted by the prospect of drinking from something you can't see through, I hope you never drink any prepackaged drinks from opaque containers. Also, if a restaurant is not properly cleaning their metal straws, then they are not cleaning their other tableware properly either. I have been using reusable straws at home and abroad for years and I haven't got salmonellosis even once. Might be worth pausing to think if you're being a bit germaphobic Luddite (aka a you problem) before selecting the reusable straw "debate" as a hill to die on.

              • djsweet on 02/02/2023 - 10:54
                +6

                @johnno07: Well no, I'm not afraid of drinking from something opaque. Its just straws are terribly difficult to wash. You need a special straw brush to clean them, and even then it takes some doing. A typical restaurant wash isn't going to cut it. My kids have transparent straws in some of their cups and they are really hard to clean even being able to see inside and having special straw brushes.

                The other day after scrubbing the inside of a stainless steel straw with a straw brush under hot running water for about a minute, I shone a light directly down the straw, and I could still see gunk adhered to the inside of the straw. I scrubbed that out. But who knows what's further down the straw that I can't see.

                I don't think most restaurants are confident enough in their ability to clean reusable straws either, as I've never seen one offer them. So it seems I am not alone on this side of the argument. Their solution is to use paper straws. Which, to be frank, are garbage.

              • ssfps on 03/02/2023 - 14:09
                +1

                @johnno07: Like djsweet says, reusable straws don't clean easily. I put them in the dishwasher at home and it doesn't always clean them perfectly, I need to use the straw-cleaning brush. You think restaurants are going to consistently hand-clean metal straws? You're dreaming bud.

                • Kangal on 03/02/2023 - 19:41

                  @ssfps: Perhaps the solution is that Macca's just doesn't provide a straw. You can buy a Stainless Steel one for $1 and it's yours. But you'll have to clean it yourself.

                  That way you get something that works, it's better for the environment, and it's economically fine.

          • macrocephalic on 02/02/2023 - 09:37

            @jjjaar: My father, after surgery to remove cancer, couldn't drink from a cup. He carried a couple of McD's straws in his pocket everywhere he went.

    • Lanushi on 03/02/2023 - 00:36
      +3

      there's plenty of alternatives on the market. Silicone, bamboo, metal to name a few.

    • CalmLemons on 03/02/2023 - 20:55

      Doing that causes bad misalligned teeth. Just FYI.

  • WatchNerd on 01/02/2023 - 15:06
    +14

    I remember hearing somone died using a stainless steel straw. I think they tripped & fell on it.

    • djsweet on 01/02/2023 - 15:07
      +4

      Well thats one way… I would be more worried about the unseen filth that builds up inside

    • CrowReally on 01/02/2023 - 15:14
      +30

      Wait until you research the number of people who've slipped and died brushing their teeth - you'll never brush your teeth again, because obviously that's the only reasonable conclusion to come to from a "but what if I slipped and died using this object" thoughtpoint.

    • jjjaar on 01/02/2023 - 15:17
      +3

      Yes, sadly injuries from reusable metal straws are not uncommon in the disability community.

      Plastic straws are the only option for a lot of people. Some people have tics and may just thrash their head around without control. Some do not have the ability to grasp a cup and lift it, so need the plastic straw, which floats up to the top, to be able to drink.

      • tooblue on 02/02/2023 - 12:37

        But we are saving the animals and planet. These are just tiny cost all people willing to pay.

        • Grazz989 on 03/02/2023 - 00:39

          Can't tell if sarcasm. Sure hope it is …

    • Xistn on 01/02/2023 - 15:27

      So Straw is more dangerous than a Drone, cop that CASA!

    • oO0Dam0Oo on 02/02/2023 - 10:30
      +1

      Definitely the last straw. That's terrible.

  • spackbace on 01/02/2023 - 15:09
    +2

    Have found some good paper straws at the local Krispy Kremes, interestingly. But yeah, some of the others are horrible

    • lachhelix on 02/02/2023 - 03:20

      I wonder if they use different straws between stores? My local Krispy Kreme (Fountain Gate) has paper straws in their milkshakes and they're atrocious!

  • iNeed2Pee on 01/02/2023 - 15:10
    +3

    I now just drink from the cup. I am gross guy.

    • JimB on 01/02/2023 - 15:12

      I drink from the cup too and now iNeed2Pee.

      I always thought you're a girl with a small bladder for some reason.

    • jv on 01/02/2023 - 15:13
      +4

      How do you drink a frozen slurpee directly from the cup?

      • Muzeeb on 01/02/2023 - 15:24
        +14

        Wait for it to defrost silly billy.

        • jv on 01/02/2023 - 15:24
          +3

          Might as well just get a normal coke then.

          • Ghost47 on 01/02/2023 - 18:09
            +1

            @jv: Coke is fizzy, melted slurpee is not.

  • Brian McGee on 01/02/2023 - 15:23
    +12

    Yet the cup lids remain plastic.

    • jv on 01/02/2023 - 15:25
      +4

      as well as plastic spoons in yogurt cups.

      • Brian McGee on 01/02/2023 - 15:26
        +3

        and plastic drink bottles.

    • Mechz on 01/02/2023 - 18:10

      Paper now at 7-11

    • jv on 01/02/2023 - 20:32
      +2

      Yet the cup lids remain plastic.

      I just got a coffee from 7-Eleven and the lid was cardboard.
      It was awful.

      • smartazz104 on 02/02/2023 - 08:27
        +1

        As opposed to the coffee itself…

      • idonotknowwhy on 02/02/2023 - 13:04
        +1

        Coles Express still has normal lids, and the coffee is 50c cheaper.

        • jv on 02/02/2023 - 13:05
          +3

          …and it also tastes better…

        • GG57 on 02/02/2023 - 15:11

          Unlikely to remain "normal" for long if plastic is banned.

  • squanchy on 01/02/2023 - 15:27
    +9

    Why don't you just buy a reusable straw? The metal ones are pretty good.

    • jv on 01/02/2023 - 15:27
      +7

      Why don't you just buy a reusable straw?

      Because I prefer the plastic ones.

      The metal ones are pretty good.

      They can be very dangerous with kids.

      • squanchy on 01/02/2023 - 15:32
        +15

        Sounds pretty selfish that you would prefer to trash the environment because of a tiny preference.

        Some metal straws have a protective silicone mouthpiece, otherwise I'm sure there's silicone alternatives.

        • idonotknowwhy on 02/02/2023 - 13:06
          +3

          Sounds pretty selfish that you would prefer to trash the environment because of a tiny preference.

          Nothing selfish if you dispose of the plastic straw in a bin, so that it gets burried in land fill, rather than dropping it on the ground.
          If a child falls with a metal straw, instant lobotomy.

      • Lanushi on 03/02/2023 - 00:37

        Are you a kid? no? problem solved.

    • PleasureMe on 04/02/2023 - 11:14

      Because then u need to carry it everywhere you go which is just not always possible. So many time I get an impromptu drink when I'm out somewhere and have gone in someone else's car.

  • godofpizza on 01/02/2023 - 15:34

    are there any other states where plastic straws are legal?

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