The Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Bill was introduced by Meaghan Scanlon on 3 December 2020 and passed on 10 March 2021 (Act No 5 of 2021), commencing by proclamation. Queensland's ban on single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, unlidded bowls and expanded polystyrene takeaway containers and cups commenced on 1 September 2021.
From 1 September 2023 the ban extended to plastic-stemmed cotton buds, loose polystyrene packing peanuts, microbeads in personal-care products, heavyweight plastic shopping bags and the release of helium balloons. The exemption for banned items integrated into or attached to packaging ended on 31 December 2025, so attached straws and yoghurt spoons have been banned from 1 January 2026.
Status as at September 2026: in force; national harmonisation across states remains incomplete. Dates verified against the Queensland Government single-use plastic products ban page and the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2021 (legislation.qld.gov.au) on 23 September 2026.