World Leaders South Australian Decision: Making Soy Sauce Fish-Shaped Containers Illegal First

In a move aimed at reducing plastic waste, the South Australian government has announced that it will be phasing out the ban on small dispensers included in takeaway sushi meals, specifically soy sauce fish-shaped containers, starting from September 1, 2022. This update to the environmental legislation is part of a wider cutdown on single-use plastic in the region.

The so-called shoyu-tai, or soy sauce snappers, were invented in Japan in the 1950s and have since become a common feature in takeaway sushi meals. However, due to their small size, they are often too small to be processed by recycling sorting machinery and end up in landfill instead.

The ban on shoyu-tai is not a new phenomenon. In England, a similar ban has been in force since October 2023, resulting in a drop in sales of plastic carrier bags by 97%. The legislation in England also includes charges for plastic carrier bags.

Similar moves have been made in Scotland and Wales. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) is responsible for enforcing the ban on soy sauce fish-shaped vessels in South Australia.

The ban in South Australia also includes bans on supermarket carrier bags, plastic straws, cutlery, drinks stirrers, cotton buds, confetti, non-compostable fruit and vegetable stickers, and prepackaged cups and bowls for takeaway meals.

The government claims that the legislation is aimed at reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment. Initially, shoyu-tai were made of glass or ceramics before they were made of plastic. The ban on shoyu-tai is the latest update to South Australia's environmental legislation.

It is worth noting that the update to environmental legislation in South Australia, effective from September 2023, does not provide any information beyond this point. The legislation in England has resulted in a significant reduction in plastic waste, and it is expected that the same will be true in South Australia.

The ban on shoyu-tai is part of an effort to reduce plastic waste in South Australia and contribute to a cleaner, greener future for the region. Similar moves are being made across the world, as governments and individuals alike recognise the importance of protecting the environment and reducing plastic waste.

World Leaders South Australian Decision: Making Soy Sauce Fish-Shaped Containers Illegal First