South Australia set to pass laws on reusable containers

The South Australian government is set to pass new laws that will give customers the freedom to use their own containers for takeaway.

The new laws, which are set to pass in parliament on Tuesday, aim to ease liability for hospitality businesses if anything goes wrong with food in the container.

The move is part of a wider plastic ban in the state which has already had lightweight plastic bags, straws, drink stirrers, cutlery, drink containers and polystyrene food banned.

Greens MP Robert Simms introduced the amendment in parliament back in May with the aim to help customers make more eco-friendly decisions.

“But one of the big barriers they faced was this concern that they could be liable if someone brought in a food container and if something went wrong with that,” he said.

“So what this reform does is it makes it very clear that the business isn‘t liable.”

Businesses which sell food that is not fit for consumption or food that is subject to a recall order can still be sued.

Much like coffee cups, reusable containers are growing in popularity as people find new ways to reduce their plastic footprint.