As a major step in our Sustainability Action Plan and new State Government regulations, Monash Health will implement a ban on a number of single-use plastics throughout our organisation from 1 February 2023. By banning problematic single-use plastics, we will reduce plastic pollution and work towards our sustainability goals for waste reduction.
About the Ban
The Victorian State Government has introduced a ban on some single-use plastics, including in a healthcare setting, to take effect 1 February 2023.
Banned single-use plastic items are:
- Straws
- Cutlery
- Plates
- Drink Stirrers
- Expanded polystyrene food and drink containers
- Cotton stick buds
The ban applies to businesses and organisations including not-for-profits, government, sports clubs, schools, and others that are incorporated.
It is the responsibility of all Victorian businesses and organisations to comply with the Regulations and not sell or supply certain single-use plastic items, including to patrons or customers.
What you need to know
Banned items cannot be sold or supplied from 1 February 2023. Before items are replaced, think about how you can avoid use, increase reusability or reduce waste. The iProc system will have all banned items removed by 20 January 2023 and suitable alternatives will be available and listed on the PSC Intranet page.
If your site expects to have significant excess stock, please contact the Procurement and Supply Chain customer service team at procurement@monashhealth.org .
What this means for you
The ban also extends to our own employee kitchens and supplies.
We encourage you to bring your own reusable items when you can, or where this is not practical seek sustainable options such as responsibly-sourced metal, glass, paper, bamboo or wood alternatives for general employee supplies.
Are there any exemptions to the ban?
There are some official exemptions to this ban, which require executive approval for use within Monash Health. These include:
- Single-use plastic drinking straws for people who need them due to a disability or for medical reasons
- Single-use plastic cotton bud sticks for testing carried out for scientific, medical, forensic or law enforcement purposes
- Single-use plastic cutlery, where required, in correctional and mental health facilities to prevent physical harm or injury
For more information about exemptions to this ban, and how to seek approval, visit the PSC Intranet page.
Why the ban makes sense for Public Health
Single-use plastics have provided and continue to provide benefits to our health system, as they offer cost-effective solutions for health and hygiene requirements. However, Single-use plastic items make up about one-third of the volume of Victoria’s litter and attract significant clean-up costs.
Many single-use plastic items are difficult and economically unviable to recycle, and the environmental impacts from these products are measured across the whole supply chain and eventually ending in our human food chains and drinking water supply.
Find out more
To learn more about the Victorian Government Single-use Plastics ban and the plan to reduce the impact of single-use plastics across the state, check their website: https://www.vic.gov.au/single-use-plastics.
To find out more about how we’re managing the ban on these items, get in touch with our Procurement team at procurement@monashhealth.org