The first phase of the ACT's single-use plastic ban comes into effect this week, meaning plastic cutlery and some takeaway containers can no longer be supplied or sold in the ACT.

From Thursday July 1, single-use plastic cutlery, single-use plastic stirrers, as well as expanded polystyrene takeaway food and beverage containers can not be distributed.

A second tranche of items is expected to be prohibited from July next year, which may include single-use plastic straws (with exemptions for those who need them, such as people with a disability), single-use plastic fruit and vegetable barrier bags and all plastic products made from degradable plastic which have additives enabling the plastic to break down into tiny fragments.

School canteen menu healthier as plastics phased out

Clair Boyer and Ari Sulanjari took over managing the Ainslie School canteen about six years ago with a goal of making the menu healthier and reducing waste.

Students are served food with reusable plates and cutlery — donated to the canteen by the school community — which they then return to the canteen after they have finished eating.

As a result, the canteen has largely dispensed with products in plastic packaging, but one of their most popular items the "juicy", or frozen juice cup, is the last to go in line with the new legislation. 

"We're ready — we've got alternative menu items coming in," Ms Boyer said.

"We've had some great brainstorming sessions with some of our students about what they'd like to see and there are fresh fruit smoothies and juices that will be served in our reusable cups."

Ms Sulanjari said they also made their own icy poles, which not only reduced plastic packaging but also made their menu healthier. 

"It's kind of like you're addressing one thing but also the impacts are much bigger for our community and the students as well," Ms Sulanjari said.

Student Evelyn Martin said, while she would miss purchasing a juicy from the canteen, she thought it was the right move.

"It's great that we've decided to now not have them. We're sacrificing juicys for the greater good," fellow student Indiana Bailey said. 

Alternatives 'worth the extra expense' 

Plastic knives, forks, spoons, stirrers and polystyrene takeaway containers are the first items set to be banned in the territory, but some businesses have found the alternatives — like wood or bamboo — to be more expensive.

Chapman cafe owner Samson Dass said it was worth the extra expense because customers wanted to see businesses doing their part to reduce waste.

"They love it, all the staff love it," Mr Dass said.

Bioplastics included in the ban

ACT City Services Minister Chris Steel said businesses needed to be careful about which plastic alternatives they chose. 

"Under the legislation that we've put in place, bioplastics are actually banned because they contaminate our recycling stream and they eventually end up in landfill anyway," Mr Steel said.

While other states like Western Australia and South Australia are ahead of the ACT in starting their bans or in the types of items that are now prohibited, Mr Steel said the ACT government had taken the time to educate businesses about the changes and ensure legislation was in place to make the ban work.

"Many of the alternatives are already available, many of the businesses have already transitioned to them," Mr Steel said.

"We've got a really positive reception from hospitality businesses, from restaurants and cafes that use these every day."

Mr Steel said the government's education campaign would ramp up later this week, once the ban came into effect.

"And also give [businesses] the message that maybe they don't need to supply these items to customers and that's actually one way they can reduce their own costs for the business as well," he said. 

Mr Steel said the government would be working closely with businesses to understand the changes and wouldn't be "issuing penalties immediately." 

"But there are penalties if needed if people persistently do the wrong thing in supplying these items on an ongoing basis."