Overview

• From 1 September 2025, pre-filled fish-shaped soy containers under 30 milliliters with a cap, closure or stopper are prohibited, while small plastic sachets remain permitted.
• South Australia is reported as the first jurisdiction worldwide to enact this specific ban, and other Australian states are weighing similar measures.
• The move forms part of broader single-use plastic rules that also bar plastic straws, takeaway cutlery and polystyrene food packaging, following a 2023 ban on shopping bags.
• Environment Minister Susan Close notes the containers are used for only seconds but are easily dropped, blown away or washed into drains, making them common street and beach litter.
• Marine ecologist Nina Wootton warns that animals can mistake intact containers for prey and that the thick polyethylene persists, with authorities recommending bulk bottles or refillable dispensers as replacements.