4th July 2025
The first ban on expanded plastic packaging, in this case moulded foam and plastic packaging materials commonly known as EPS, polystyrene or Styrofoam, has commenced in Western Australia. The AMA has been discussing and researching this issue in collaboration with members, the National Retail Association and the WA Department of Water, Environment & Resources. (Members: download the resources)
Members can download two new resources, a fact sheet guiding members through what is and isn’t covered and how to navigate the regulation of expanded plastic packaging and a tool to self-assess a product as being fragile and justifying a legitimate exemption from the ban.
Expanded plastics such as EPS are lightweight materials, easily transported by wind and water when littered. EPS breaks into pieces in the environment and poses a threat to wildlife. Foamed plastics like EPS are not suitable for recycling in kerbside bins because of their tendency to break up. Nationally, only 19% of EPS packaging is recycled, with the majority from commercial and industrial sources.
Expanded plastic includes, but is not limited to EPS (Expanded Polystyrene, aka ‘Styrofoam’ / EPS foam), EPE (Expanded Polyethylene), EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) and EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate.
In this resource we use the longer term ‘expanded plastic packaging’ as per the regulation, but EPS is the most typical material and what we sometimes refer to colloquially or as shorthand for these materials.
Expanded plastics are used in packaging of various kinds of music products including keyboards, guitars, drums, pro audio equipment, brass and wind instruments and accessories.
The WA ban, in effect from 1st July 2025, applies to moulded or cut packaging made from any form of expanded plastic.
The ban on expanded plastics applies to all Western Australian businesses, manufacturers, retailers and distributors that sell or supply goods requiring protective packaging.
General information about the ban can be found at https://plasticsbanwa.com.au/
