Are you sure?
Are you sure? If you change your country now, any items you have added to your quote will disappear.
Your location
Please set your location to see relevant stock levels. Freight costs and taxes will be calculated once you log in.
Note: changing your location will empty your cart.
Northern Territory Legislation Explained
Legislation in the Northern Territory differs compared to other states, as although the legislation against single-use lightweight checkout style bags is enforceable statewide, other bans only apply to events held on Darwin City Council land.
The government are yet to specify dates and details however, the next steps moving forward may see enforcement of these bans at a statewide level.
The shift away from problematic single-use plastics drew a mostly positive response on social media, with consumers agreeing that phasing out of single-use plastics is necessary, and acknowledging the ban as a positive initiative from the Darwin City Council.
Key dates
2019
The ban was introduced and prohibits the use of single-use plastic products from all events held on Council land including markets.
The ban applies to the following items:
- Single-use plastic disposable coffee cups and lids
- Single-use plastic smoothie cups and lids
- Single-use plastic straws
- Single-use plastic cutlery
- Single-use plastic beverage stirrers
- Single-use plastic plates, bowls and takeaway containers
- Deliberate release of helium balloons.
Exemption
An exemption to the ban applies to individuals with a disability or medical need to use a straw.
This exemption Is specific to the NT and does not apply in all states.


Enforcement & Penalties
The City of Darwin have not yet released a statement on enforcement and penalties for failure to comply. However, market stall holders were given a transition period since the enforcement of the ban on January 1, 2019, allowing them to finish their current stock before switching to sustainable options that are compliant with the legislation.
The City of Darwin envisaged that by the end of 2019, the markets would be single-use plastic free.
More information available here.
Head back to the Single-use Problematic Plastics in Australia home page, here.
Contact us about moving to Towards 2025 compliant packaging, here.
Browse our range of sustainable legislative compliant packaging, here.