Resources of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers with goods in expanded plastic packaging

Loose-fill packaging made from expanded plastic – Banned from 1 September 2023

The ban applies to loose fill expanded polystyrene (EPS) or other foamed plastic packaging material such as packing peanuts, packing beads, and S shaped beads.

The ban does NOT apply to:

• flexible plastic wraps and sleeves made from expanded plastic

• fresh produce boxes and bulk cold home-delivered meal services

• packaging retained by a business after that installation of consumer goods by a licensed installer (e.g. air conditioner packaging)

• specialist packaging for medical or scientific applications, for example, organ transport or pharmaceuticals.

Moulded packaging made from expanded plastic – Banned from 1 July 2025 

The ban applies to moulded or cut packaging made from any form of expanded plastic.

This includes, but is not limited to EPS, EPE, EPP and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Only packaged products with a manufacturing date of 1 March 2025 or later will need to comply.

The ban does NOT apply to:

• flexible plastic wraps and sleeves made from expanded plastic

• packaging for products weighing more than 45 kg (excluding the packaging)

• packaging which has been identified by the manufacturer as being fragile and requiring protective packaging that complies with a standard (see more information below)

• fresh produce boxes and bulk cold home-delivered meal services where there is an opportunity for the business to collect and reuse.

• packaging retained by a business after that installation of consumer goods by a professional installer

• packaging for products where the packaging is a permanent part of the product’s carry case or kit

• specialist packaging for medical or scientific applications, for example, organ transport or pharmaceuticals

• expanded plastic which forms part of the product (e.g. bean bag fill, surfboards)

• moulded expanded plastic packaging used to repackage repaired goods supplied before the enforcement date

• packaging for the building and construction industry

• packaged products manufactured before 1 March 2025

• packaging sent between businesses (see government factsheet for B2B definition)

The bans are mostly aligned to the Roadmap to Implement the National Phase Out of Business-to-Consumer EPS Packaging, which includes case study examples. Background on how the regulations apply for moulded and loose fill expanded plastic packaging can be found under the resources section of the plasticsbanwa.com.au website.  

Many exemptions apply for the bans on moulded expanded plastic. See Single-use plastic exemptions for all temporary exemptions, including the class exemption for electronic goods weighing over 25 kilograms. 

Products that are proven fragile through testing alternatives do not need to apply for an exemption and can continue to use expanded plastic packaging. Further guidance is provided in the expanded plastic ban guideline on evidence and reporting requirements, factsheet, and video explanation. 

First, consider if your goods require protective packaging at all or if expanded plastic can be replaced with reusable protective packaging and wraps.

Then, consider if you can use paper or pulp based protective packaging, such as moulded pulp or cardboard, honeycombed paper, wool or straw. Soft plastic air pillows and bubble wrap are allowed but we recommend considering plastic-free options first. 

Enquiries to the Department are best sent to plastic-action@dwer.wa.gov.au, or by phone (08) 6364 7000.

You can also contact our program support partners, the National Retail Association, via sustainability@nationalretail.org.au or phoning the tollfree hotline at 1800 817 723.