Hobart’s leaders say they’re “serious about leading by example’, which is why they’re set on making the city the first in Australia to be completely single-use plastic free.
Hobart City Council revealed the HUGE news when an 8-4 vote in favour of cleaner practices was passed in a meeting earlier this month.
The ban won’t fully come into place until 2020, giving Tasmania’s capital one year to get its plastic-free act together.

Image: Jonathan Chng/Unsplash
As part of the campaign against destructive materials, according to ABC News, all businesses based in Hobart that provide or sell takeaway food will need to find cleaner alternatives to plastic containers, straws, coffee cups and plastic lids.
All other businesses will also need to start phasing out single-use plastics from their bases and introduce re-usable or eco-friendly alternatives.

Image: Jonathon Young/Unsplash
“What that [the ban] says is that we’re serious about leading by example and we’re a council that takes the initiative, that makes bold decisions and this is one of those decisions that will have impacts for councils across Australia.”
Councillor Bill Harvey
The ban still needs to be approved by the Director of Local Government and will need to undergo a public consultation period for 21 days.
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