The concept of a BYO take-away container may have once been laughable, but it seems that’s all set to change with the possibility of plastic containers being banned in the near future. Hobart is the first Australian city to take charge on the issue, with Hobart City Council moving to ban single-use petroleum-based plastic food containers and utensils by 2020. 

It’s all part of a greater plan by the south to have a greater plastic-free existence. It’s a legal move that will see food packaging now included in Tasmania’s Plastic Shopping Ban Act 2013 and follows on from a previous ban of plastic straws.

Greens Alderman Bill Harvey hopes it will lead the way for the rest of Australia. “This is something that I think will have an impact on society. It’s time to start moving on an issue like this and the council can be a national leader.”

“We’re responsible for waste management in the city, so we’ve taken the lead. We’ve taken a really responsible approach to both litter management and reducing landfill, so it’s really exciting to be part of a council that’s leading the nation,” he continues.

The city believes that it will be possible to eliminate the use of plastic containers within the next three years but only with the support of the community and its retailers. The rise of biodegradable containers and the instalment of a commercial-grade compost outlet by the council are also believed to be part of the council’s long-term plastic-free plans.