South Australia to Ban Fish-Shaped Soy Sauce Containers
South Australia will ban iconic fish-shaped soy sauce containers from September 1 as part of a broader crackdown on single-use plastics to reduce pollution and protect marine life.
From September 1, South Australia will prohibit pre-filled 30ml fish-shaped soy sauce containers, which are widely used in Asian takeaways.
Ban details and background
Under the state government’s new plastics legislation, shops may not sell or distribute small containers with lids, caps or stoppers. Environment Minister and Deputy Premier Susan Close said each container “is used for just seconds, yet remains in the environment for decades or centuries if littered.”
Environmental impact
Although these containers are made from recyclable polyethylene, their small size often prevents them from being processed correctly and they rarely get recycled. The government says the ban will help reduce pollution, cut carbon emissions and protect marine life.
Alternatives and global context
Sushi lovers can still use larger soy sauce bottles or sachets, which are not affected by the ban. Japanese inventor Teruo Watanabe first created fish-shaped condiment containers in 1954 using ceramic or glass, later switching to plastic.
Officials warn that without action, annual plastic flow into the oceans could triple to 29 million metric tonnes by 2040. A global ranking placed Australia seventh out of 25 nations for controlling plastic pollution.
This ban on single-use fish-shaped soy sauce containers highlights South Australia’s effort to tackle plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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