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

- the wiz on 02/02/2023 - 19:38
  
  Plastic everywhere. We're surrounded with plastic. Look around you. It is everywhere.
  
  But plastic straws have to go.
  
  Because rules. Some people make stuff. Other people just like controlling people.
Thaal Sinestro on 02/02/2023 - 05:06

+4

Why are plastic staws illegal? What harm do they pose to the community?

Instead of banning straws, ban freedom hating totalitarian governments instead.
- Empharand on 02/02/2023 - 13:52
  
  They get stuck in Ozbargainers nostrils and kill many habitats of Ozbargainers
croc330 on 02/02/2023 - 06:27

+5

Why has no one mentioned the single use plastic straws the Police use to breath test you for B.A.C.?
Oh yeah… there's an "excusable" single use plastic straw! Not gonna ban those, are ya Dan?

Good for the goose… not for the Gov.
- smartazz104 on 02/02/2023 - 09:08
  
  You'd rather they had something reusable they just wiped between uses?
  - jv on 02/02/2023 - 09:28
    
    +2
    
    They can use paper straws.
    - Castcore on 02/02/2023 - 13:00
      
      +1
      
      Paper straws would be a great use case here, you should petition for it jv. Pull some strings.
      - jv on 02/02/2023 - 13:00
        
        +2
        
        @Castcore:
        
        Pull some strings.
        
        Most strings these days contain plastic.
  - croc330 on 02/02/2023 - 18:50
    
    No just pointing out a little hypocrisy, not offering a solution.
cookie2 on 02/02/2023 - 07:21

Wait, what about bubble tea? You can't drink bubble tea without a big fat straw!
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 09:29
  
  banned…
- Ghost47 on 02/02/2023 - 10:50
  
  They have cardboard straws that are large and they work fine (also poke holes easily in the plastic top as well).
smartazz104 on 02/02/2023 - 08:24

+1

because I can't stand the paper ones at Maccas and 7-Eleven.

Seems like a good reason to stop consuming drinks from those places.
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 09:29
  
  nope…
Benno007 on 02/02/2023 - 08:33

+1

Just remember to take 4-5 paper straws everytime you get a drink 😂 I had to do that at the movies with my frozen coke recently.

Some places have really good paper straws that are like cardboard but others just fall apart as soon as they get damp.
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 09:30
  
  +1
  
  take 4-5 paper straws everytime you get a drink
  
  I do…
  
  So killing 4-5 times more trees.
AddNinja on 02/02/2023 - 08:34

+3

I agree that the law is a little misplaced. The problem is that plastic, like oil and coal,
doesn’t include in its price the cost of the damage it does to the environment. If it did, I doubt most people would use anywhere near as much.

So rather than address the real issue, we have this law on straws and plastic bags. Personally I think it is better than doing nothing, but I’d prefer that manufactured products include in their price the actual cost of fixing the damage they cause. If we did that we wouldn’t have all the young people having to pay for climate change too.
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 09:30
  
  the cost of the damage it does to the environment.
  
  what damage?
  - AddNinja on 02/02/2023 - 10:31
    
    Hey JV - you’re obviously fairly bright, why not educate yourself on this? That plastic stays in the environment for a long time with harmful effects is not controversial and there is a lot of information on the topic.
    
    I actually thought we’d be largely in agreement on this. If the market properly priced plastics to include the cost of the damage they do to the environment, you could have your straws (though probably they wouldn’t be free). That way you could enjoy your slurpee and feel good that this problem was solved by a proper application of the free market.
    
    You could start with this page I guess:
    https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plast…
    - jv on 02/02/2023 - 10:32
      
      +2
      
      That plastic stays in the environment for a long time with harmful effects
      
      What are the harmful effects of plastic straws in landfill?
      
      Even if there were, plastic straws can easily be recycled.
      - AddNinja on 02/02/2023 - 10:48
        
        +2
        
        @jv: I really think you’d benefit from reading on this topic yourself - you’re unlikely to want to learn about this from some random person in a forum.
        
        But consider this when you’re doing your reading:
        1. Straws often don’t end up in landfill.
        2. Given that plastic is mildly toxic and doesn’t easily biodegrade, you don’t want it to end up in the environment in vast quantities. So you need to look beyond recycling plastic, to what ultimately happens to it. If your straws are recycled into bins, and then into child car seats what happens after that? Does it just sit in some dodgy warehouse for a while? What next?
        
        I am all for the use of plastics, coal and gas if their cost properly reflects the damage they do to the environment and includes the cost of their ultimate disposal. I would expect we’d agree on this.
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 10:51
        
        +2
        
        @AddNinja:
        
        Straws often don’t end up in landfill.
        
        So the issue is really littering, not the plastic straws…
        Why are aluminium cans still allowed? They also may not end up in landfill and pollute waterways.
        Aluminium can also be toxic.
        
        Anyway, plastic straws can very easily be recycled.
        
        AddNinja on 02/02/2023 - 11:26
        
        @jv: Hey JV - I doubt I can help you much further in this. If you are willing, I think you are ready to do your own reading.
        
        An angle that may make this more palatable is that what we want is for materials to be priced properly. When we price cans, plastics, coal etc without including the cost of the damage they do to the environment and their disposal, we are distorting the market, and passing that cost on to other people.
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 10:54
        
        +1
        
        @AddNinja:
        
        and includes the cost of their ultimate disposal. I would expect we’d agree on this.
        
        What is your estimate of the environmental cost of one straw that should be added to the price?
        
        AddNinja on 02/02/2023 - 11:20
        
        @jv: No idea - you could look out for that during your reading.
        
        But it doesn't really matter right - whether it adds 10% to the cost of plastic or 200%. So long as that price is part of the cost of plastic, you can have as many slurpees as you like. You could sleep in a bed of single use plastic straws if you wanted, and you'd be good.
      - smartazz104 on 02/02/2023 - 13:33
        
        @jv: The country doesn’t even recycle its plastic bottles and containers, you think they’d be able to recycle straws?
payless69 on 02/02/2023 - 09:03

Pluck Da Choooook beaten comrade Dan by more than a year on this one.
Wasteful VICTORIA!
Max P on 02/02/2023 - 09:08

-1

Good it's about time!!
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 09:34
  
  About time for what?
Willy Beamish on 02/02/2023 - 09:08

+1

stupid
ribze1 on 02/02/2023 - 09:24

+2

NSW banned them in November. I suppose Dom's religious police will take over enforcement in addition to ensuring unmarried females remain virgins.
- smog on 03/02/2023 - 01:37
  
  +1
  
  I'm surprised you're the only person mentioning about the ban in NSW. I don't remember anyone kicking a fuss when we rolled the banned on single-use plastic over 2 phases last year. Does that mean Dom's a dictator? Hmmmm.
  - THICKnSLOW on 03/02/2023 - 08:13
    
    Doms a Christian
  - ribze1 on 03/02/2023 - 08:21
    
    +1
    
    Same old NSW Liberals = good, and Victorian Labor = bad.
    Although most Victorians don't seem to think so based on the election results. As for the NSW Libs, well they should enjoy their final two months of Gov't.
    - 91rs on 03/02/2023 - 10:06
      
      Given the offerings of others to vote for its little surprise that Andrews made it back in, it was hardly a win when those running against him made themselves so unlikable and out of touch that there was no chance of change.
      - GG57 on 03/02/2023 - 10:30
        
        @91rs: The Victorian Labor Party was obviously far and above the best available option at the most recent election, according to the majority of the state's >4m. voters, under our electoral system.
        
        The Liberal Party is barely at creditable Opposition levels now, and don't show any signs of changing soon.
skillet on 02/02/2023 - 09:44

https://theonlystraw.com.au/

https://thesugarcanestraw.com/
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 09:46
  
  https://www.greenpack.com.au/product-category/eco-straws/pla…
  
  "Please be aware that single-use, compostable (e.g. PLA etc.) plastic straws are now prohibited from sale"
  
  So compostable straws are also banned?
  - Jolakot on 02/02/2023 - 10:48
    
    +1
    
    Not compostable straws, but compostable plastic straws
    - jv on 02/02/2023 - 10:48
      
      why would that matter if it is compostable?
      - Jolakot on 02/02/2023 - 10:59
        
        +1
        
        @jv: Because it's only compostable under commercial composting conditions (try saying that 3 times quickly), which isn't common here for general waste
        
        Otherwise it'll stick around for ~80 years in the environment, leaving contaminating PLA residue akin to microplastics as it degrades
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 11:01
        
        @Jolakot: so just recycle normal plastic straws…
        
        Jolakot on 02/02/2023 - 14:12
        
        +1
        
        @jv: How do you recycle a normal plastic straw?
        
        They're a type 5 plastic, which the majority of recycling plants can't even process
        
        And even those that can often can't accept plastic straws because they're too light to be filtered by most mechanical sorting systems
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 14:20
        
        @Jolakot:
        
        How do you recycle a normal plastic straw?
        
        Here's just a few ideas for you…
        https://www.cookist.com/21-fun-and-practical-uses-for-old-st…
        
        There are limitless opportunities though…
        
        Jolakot on 02/02/2023 - 14:59
        
        @jv: The average Australian uses 140 straws each year, that's a lot of Jell-O Worms
        
        GG57 on 02/02/2023 - 15:13
        
        @Jolakot: I haven't used a straw of any type, for probably a decade. Someone is using my share.
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 15:37
        
        @GG57: How do you drink slurpees and thickshakes?
        
        GG57 on 02/02/2023 - 15:39
        
        @jv: I don't drink slurpees.
        Thickshakes (very rarely), I find are ok out of a glass.
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 15:40
        
        +1
        
        @GG57:
        
        I find are ok out of a glass.
        
        But then you wont go blue in the face trying to suck them up…
        
        You'll lose the experience.
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 15:38
        
        @Jolakot:
        
        140 straws each year
        
        I probably use them about 3 times a week, so roughly about 150 in a year, so that sounds right.
        
        I do however on average re-use mine about 3 times, so probably closer to 50 physical straws per year.
        
        Then I recycle them.
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 09:48
  
  why did you remove your original link?
  
  https://www.greenpack.com.au/product-category/eco-straws/pla…
  - skillet on 02/02/2023 - 09:49
    
    https://rawstraw.net.au/wheat-straws/
    - jv on 02/02/2023 - 09:50
      
      not good for people with Celiac disease…
  - skillet on 02/02/2023 - 09:50
    
    I wasn't sure if PLA is classified as Plastics.
    - jv on 02/02/2023 - 09:51
      
      +1
      
      I wasn't sure if PLA is classified as Plastics
      
      I might just print my own straws in future…
revheadgl on 02/02/2023 - 10:19

Silicone straws? Durable and easy to clean. Still, be a bit annoying having constantly clean, store and keep with you.

https://www.kmart.com.au/product/4-pack-silicone-straws-4306…
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 10:28
  
  Silicone straws?
  
  Are Maccas providing them with their frozen cokes now?
  
  If so, I'll try one.
  
  Durable and easy to clean.
  
  So are plastic straws…
- idonotknowwhy on 02/02/2023 - 13:09
  
  When I need straws, I'll probably just buy these and use them the same way I used disposable straws (putting them in the bin after use, not dropping them on the ground to kill dolphins). Costs more but I guess it's just like inflation…
VehemenceThePhoenix on 02/02/2023 - 10:37

You can also buy reusable plastic straws if you don't like the metal ones.
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 10:44
  
  You can also buy reusable plastic straws
  
  So why don't Maccas and 7-Eleven use them?
jv on 02/02/2023 - 10:44

+1

I just came back from Maccas in Tasmania.
movieman on 02/02/2023 - 11:17

Well.

Such is life.
DrSwag on 02/02/2023 - 11:43

+1

The bubble tea shops will be one small step better. Paper straws in a plastic cup with a plastic-film lid often provided in a single-serve plastic bag. The fancier ones even have cute little detachable plastic hearts on top.
RocketSwitch on 02/02/2023 - 11:44

+2

Funny isn't it, ban plastic straws but allow the millions of masks that have plastic in them to be overflowing our tips lol (ah, the irony), anyway, on the topic, been using metal straws for years and my toddlers have never injured themselves.
- djsweet on 02/02/2023 - 16:14
  
  +1
  
  I guess if you're careful and make your toddlers sit down to drink under supervision then it would be safe enough using metal. Otherwise its basically like letting your toddler run around unsupervised with a toothbrush (not recommended btw).
richmond12 on 02/02/2023 - 12:23

+4

On the next episode of border security, instead suitcase full of cigarettes, it will be a suitcase full of plastic straws!
Idontusuallypost on 02/02/2023 - 12:44

The resturant where my daughter works use rice straws that are eddible and they don't go soggy and collapse when you sip your drink. There are two downsides to these straws; first is that they cause sodas/fizzy drinks to bubble up, secondly, they cannot be used in warm and hot drinks.
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 12:50
  
  There are two downsides to these straws; first is that they cause sodas/fizzy drinks to bubble up, secondly, they cannot be used in warm and hot drinks.
  
  Both these could be easily fixed by coating the straws in plastic.
  That would both prevent the chemical reaction causing the fizzing and also provide a thermal insulator required for the hot drinks.
idonotknowwhy on 02/02/2023 - 13:12

+3

Why are you idiots getting accessibility devices banned.

You'll regret this when you're in a nursing home with shaking hands struggling to sip water through a disintegrating paper straw.

(profanity) are going to come after those accessibility dental floss with the plastic handles next aren't you?
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 13:18
  
  +1
  
  are going to come after those accessibility dental floss
  
  That's just great now that you posted this… 😠
  
  Dental floss is single use plastic and now Dan's social media team that monitor these forums will give him more ideas about what to ban next…
  - idonotknowwhy on 02/02/2023 - 17:15
    
    I've already started buying up a stash of them. These are more important to me than plastic straws (only have a modest stash of about 800 plastic straws).
    
    Dan's social media team that monitor these forums will give him more ideas about what to ban next…
    
    The idea is already on in the wild, I saw people whinging about these on reddit in early January (hence I bought all the stock in Coles the last few times I went there).
- smartazz104 on 02/02/2023 - 13:35
  
  They can use a cup with a plastic lid and spout then…
Blargman2001 on 02/02/2023 - 13:37

+2

Plastic straws have been banned in SA since 2021 and the world continued to exist. Maybe you should run for office on a 'freedom' ticket and roll back all this wokeness taking over the world.
trapper on 02/02/2023 - 13:39

+4

Almost all food containing plastic packaging is single use… and none of it banned of course.

Meanwhile plastic straws, one of the most useful plastic items there is, gets banned.
imrichkid on 02/02/2023 - 13:42

Give me back my plastic straws. The FIRE nation can pick up my rubbish.
Hahuh on 02/02/2023 - 13:43

What about using some thick spaghetti?
GoIdDigger on 02/02/2023 - 13:44

Their philosophy of government is that they should be everyone's parent because they know better than you
Empharand on 02/02/2023 - 13:49

So the disposable plastic straws attached to the police RBT tests should be banned as well yeah? Should I inform them next-time they're doing roadside breath testing?

Will be using them illegally I suppose behind closed curtains at home.

Straight to jail
- trapper on 02/02/2023 - 15:54
  
  So the disposable plastic straws attached to the police RBT tests should be banned as well yeah?
  
  Only drinking straws are banned, blowing straws still all good to go.
trapper on 02/02/2023 - 14:00

Will be using them illegally I suppose behind closed curtains at home.

The ban does not apply to individuals undertaking private or domestic activities.

So will I be fined if I BYO when I get an iced latte at Maccas or a Slurpee at 7-Eleven?

No, you won't get fined.
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 14:32
  
  No, you won't get fined.
  
  What if I supply them to someone dining with me?
  - trapper on 02/02/2023 - 15:48
    
    The ban does not apply to individuals undertaking private or domestic activities.
    
    So no fine for you.
trapper on 02/02/2023 - 14:04

"Businesses caught using those items can be fined $1849 and individuals face a fine of $370."

This is incorrect.

Selling or supplying is what is banned, not using.
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 14:22
  
  This is incorrect.
  
  Take it up with the government then…
  - trapper on 02/02/2023 - 14:25
    
    The government didn't write that article.
    
    Fake news brought to you by 'Nell Geraets'
    - jv on 02/02/2023 - 14:31
      
      The government didn't write that article.
      
      They issued the press release that was copied by all the media…
      - trapper on 02/02/2023 - 15:47
        
        @jv: Show me where the press release says that.
        
        It is fake news that you can be fined for using these items.
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 15:48
        
        @trapper:
        
        It is fake news
        
        Why are they all saying the same thing then?
        
        trapper on 02/02/2023 - 15:52
        
        +2
        
        @jv: Because journalism is dead in the mainstream media.
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 16:55
        
        @trapper: You're entitled to your opinion, but it is just as likely that the media release by the government was misleading.
        It wouldn't be the first time.
        
        trapper on 02/02/2023 - 17:03
        
        @jv: It's not my opinion. It is factually untrue that you can be fined for using these items.
        
        Look here and see for yourself: https://www.vic.gov.au/single-use-plastics
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 17:10
        
        -2
        
        @trapper:
        
        It is factually untrue that you can be fined for using these items.
        
        and as I said, that is not what is being reported…
        
        jv on 02/02/2023 - 17:13
        
        -2
        
        @trapper: Under those guidelines, the police organisation will likely need to be fined if they provide you with a plastic straw for a breathalyser unit.
        
        trapper on 02/02/2023 - 17:17
        
        +1
        
        @jv: Only plastic drinking straws are banned. Not blowing straws or any other kinds of plastic straws.
        
        If blowing straws ever did get banned the police would surely get an exemption in the law - just as they do in this law when it comes to plastic cotton bud sticks.
        
        jv on 03/02/2023 - 11:30
        
        @trapper:
        
        Only plastic drinking straws are banned. Not blowing straws
        
        So cafes can still give you plastic straws if you chose to just blow bubbles in your milkshake then…
        
        jv on 03/02/2023 - 11:31
        
        @trapper:
        
        just as they do in this law when it comes to plastic cotton bud sticks.
        
        Why don't they use the paper ones?
        
        They work just the same.
Korban Dallas on 02/02/2023 - 14:53

+3

McChokey no more.

Good day for turtles.
- lachhelix on 02/02/2023 - 14:54
  
  Good thing they're not using plastic for the meat popsicles 😏
- jv on 02/02/2023 - 15:49
  
  +1
  
  Good day for turtles.
  
  How many turtles have died from plastic straws?
  - Korban Dallas on 02/02/2023 - 15:53
    
    Ocean is pretty big mate.
    
    Don't know. How many people suicided cause of robodebt?
    
    ~2k committed suicide whilst having a debt.
    
    How many killed themselves cause of the debt?
    
    Can anyone post the JV big man Tyrone video. I can't find it?

Plastic Straws Are Now Banned in Victoria

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