South Australia first state to ban tiny fish bottles of takeaway soy

South Australia has become the first Australian state to ban soy sauce fish containers.

The small fish-shaped containers – often sold with takeaway sushi – will be phased out from September 1, along with plastic straws, cutlery attached to food containers, non-compostable fruit and vegetable stickers, and prepackaged cups and bowls containing meals.

It follows a ban on a range of single-use plastics in SA that has been in place since September 2023, including grocery bags, straws, cutlery, stirrers, cups, bowls, plates, containers, cotton buds, pizza savers*, confetti, balloon sticks and ties, and food bag tags.

Environment Minister and Deputy Premier Susan Close said that the use of soy sauce fish containers was “undeniably high,” because of how often they are used in sushi and other takeaway food.

“Each fish-shaped container is used for just seconds, yet remains in the environment for decades or centuries if littered,” Ms Close said.

“Their small size means they’re easily dropped, blown away, or washed into drains, making them a frequent component* of beach and street litter.

“In kerbside recycling, they’re too small to be captured by sorting machinery and often end up in landfill or as fugitive* plastic in the environment.

“If littered, they can break into microplastics*, which persist* in soils, waterways, and oceans.”

The tiny bottles pose a problem for marine life once they end up in waterways as they could be accidentally ingested by sea creatures.

Ms Close said the soy sauce fish containers could be replaced with more sustainable options.

Since 2021, local businesses have stopped using over eight million single-use plastic items, according to government data.

While SA has become the first state to ban soy sauce containers, two other states could possibly follow its lead.

NSW is currently considering a proposal to phase out plastic sauce packages, like soy sauce, requiring them to be recyclable by 2030.

Tasmania may also follow, but has not yet come up with legislation.

Queensland has stated it will not introduce further bans on single-use plastics beyond those already in place, such as straws, stirrers, plates, unenclosed bowls, cutlery, takeaway food containers, cotton buds, peanut packaging, and microbeads*.

On the other side of the country, Western Australia has expanded its bans to include non-compostable plastic barrier bags for fresh produce, unpacked meat, seafood, and dairy from September 1.

The other states and territories are currently maintaining their existing bans on single-use plastics.

POLL

GLOSSARY

pizza savers: the little plastic things used in takeaway pizza boxes that hold the pizza together in the centre

component: part

fugitive: plastic that escapes the rubbish or recycling collection

microplastics: tiny pieces of plastic that don’t break down, polluting the Earth and posing a danger to animals and insects

persist: last a very long time

microbeads: tiny pieces of plastic that are often too small to see that are sometimes added to personal care and cleaning products like face wash and toothpaste

EXTRA READING

How gross is your water bottle?

Are microplastics really inside us?

Turning plastic into something precious

QUICK QUIZ

Which state has banned soy sauce fish containers?

Which other two states are thinking of doing the same?

Why are these little fish-shaped containers being banned?

When did the ban come into effect?

What other items are now being phased out in SA?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

1. Create a design

Design a more sustainable option to replace plastic soy sauce containers.

Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity

Curriculum Links: English, Design and Technologies

2. Extension

“Changing laws to protect the environment is not enough. We also need …” Research and write a piece of persuasive writing that begins with this.

Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity

Curriculum Links: English, Geography, Science

VCOP ACTIVITY

Read this!

A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.

Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.

Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?

Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.