In the ACT this Thursday, single-use plastics will be banned, new legislation will be introduced to improve responsible dog ownership, and all Canberrans will become eligible for free bulky waste collection services in their suburbs.

“Our government is continually looking for ways to make Canberra an even better place to live – with great local services that put our values into action,” said Chris Steel, Minister for Transport and City Services. “The commencement of these new initiatives on 1 July will help make our city more sustainable and safer for pet dogs and people alike.”

Single use plastics ban

The sale, supply, and distribution of single-use plastic cutlery, single-use plastic stirrers and expanded polystyrene containers will be banned in the ACT under the Plastics Reduction Act 2021.

Mr Steel called this a big step forward in cutting harmful waste.

“We know from over 700 face-to-face business visits conducted in the past few months that there is strong support from the business community and Canberrans to reduce our plastic use,” he said.

“It’s now important that every Canberran does what they can to reduce their use or support the switch by embracing alternatives to plastic.”

The ACT will also be the first jurisdiction able to declare public events single-use plastic-free. This means single-use plastics (including a wider range of plastic items than those prohibited from 1 July) can be banned at both government and non-government events, including major festivals like Floriade, music festivals, and sporting matches.

Next year, the government could ban plastic-lined single-use coffee cups and lids, single-use plastic dinnerware, boutique or heavyweight plastic bags, and cotton ear buds with plastic sticks.

For more information on the ACT’s ban on selected single-use plastics, visit: www.act.gov.au/single-use-plastics.

Supporting responsible dog ownership

Lost dogs will find their way home more easily as new legislation coming into effect from 1 July requires all dog owners to update their details annually, at no additional cost.

Dog owners will receive an annual registration reminder notice in the form of an email, text message, or letter from Domestic Animal Services. These reminders will be issued to coincide with the date the dog was first registered.

“The updated dog registration system will improve the information we have about dogs in the ACT, ensuring we can contact owners quickly if lost or roaming dogs need to be returned to their families,” Mr Steel said.

“It will also allow the government to deliver better education and services to pet owners, and manage dangerous dogs to help prevent and respond to dog attacks.”

For more information on the new annual dog registration process, visit: www.cityservices.act.gov.au/dogrego.

Bulky waste collections begin in all Canberra suburbs

Bulky waste collection becomes available city-wide from Thursday – the first time residents in Woden, Weston, Molonglo, and Central Canberra will enjoy the service, Mr Steel said.

More than 400 residents have pre-booked over the last month.

He said more than 6,000 ACT households have saved themselves a trip to the tip since collections began in July last year; 40% of those collections were re-purposed as donations to ACT charities – including furniture, bikes, and gardening equipment.

Labor promised last year to bring the city-wide roll out of the service forward by more than two years. Originally, bulky waste collection was not to have reached Woden Valley and Weston Creek until 2022/23 and the Inner North and Inner South until 2023–24.

To make a free bulky waste booking, visit: www.act.gov.au/bulkywaste.

Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.