The Western Australia state government announced yesterday a plan to rid the state of single-use plastics by 2023, as well as education programs to support a transition toward a cleaner environment.

The Plan for Plastics scheme will be rolled out in two main stages.

First, regulations will be developed and implemented to phase-out plastic plates, cutlery, stirrers, straws, bags, polystyrene food containers and helium balloon releases.

Second, the government will phase out plastic produce bags, cotton buds, polystyrene packaging, microbeads and oxo-degradable plastics.

“The time to act is now; plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to wildlife around the world and, in 2018-19. only 11 per cent of Australia’s plastic waste was recycled with 89 per cent sent to landfill,” said WA’s environment minister Stephen Dawson.

“Reducing our dependence on single-use plastics will help reduce our impact on the environment, waste streams and human health.

“Waste problems are a shared legacy. I look forward to the implementation to this Plan for Plastics so we all contribute to the protection of our environment for future generations.”

Plastic-free trials will be established across the state to support community action to reduce single-use plastics throughout the next few years, while education initiatives and behaviour change programs will be implemented.