Single Use Materials and Packaging Policy

This page is currently under review in preparation for the exhibition of the draft Single Use Materials and Packaging Policy in early 2026.

Tweed Shire Council is taking action on unnecessary waste from single use items, such as coffee cups, plates, bowls and platters. Council has drafted a Single Use Materials and Packaging Policy and we're seeking your feedback.

The policy aims to avoid single use materials - plastic or otherwise - instead promoting reusable items. The policy applies to Council staff and operations, Council sponsored and licensed events, and users of Council sites.

The objectives of the policy are to:

  1. Avoid or reduce waste to landfill
  2. Reduce pollution in waterways and natural environments in the Tweed
  3. Increase use of reusable alternatives
  4. Minimise greenhouse gas emissions
  5. Encourage further community action to avoid waste.

The policy proposes a tiered approach, with phased implementation to allow events, groups and activities time to plan and adapt to the new policy.

Have your say

We're asking everyone to play a part in reducing waste to landfill. Please read the draft policy and implementation guide before submitting your feedback so your input can be properly considered in the final recommendations.

Share your feedback by 4pm Wednesday 25 March 2026 in one of the following ways:

  • Online: using the feedback form below
  • Email: tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au(External link)
  • Mail: Single use materials and packaging policy, General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816 MURWILLUMBAH NSW 2484

Previous consultation

During 2025, Council met, surveyed and interviewed a range of event organisers and market operators in the Tweed to better understand the current practices and challenges faced by event organisers, venues and groups in reducing single-use materials and other disposable items.

As part of an EPA-funded program with North East Waste, Council has trialled the use of reusables at the Murwillumbah Show and a school swimming carnival at TRAC. Council has also taken note of learnings from similar trials in the Northern Rivers region, including Byron, Ballina and Lismore council areas.

Background to the policy

Strategic objective 1.6 of the Towards Zero Waste strategy targets a 25% reduction in waste generation, with action 1.6c targeting the ban of single use plastic items (straws, cups, stirrers, cutlery and takeaway containers) across all Council facilities and events in the medium term (3-5 years). In the Tweed, bans on these items fall into line with state-based legislation, which came into effect from November 2022.

While common single use plastics listed above have largely been removed from the waste stream, in many cases these have been replaced with other single use materials, such as cardboard, ‘eco-friendly’ materials such as fibre/sugarcane plates and other ‘compostable’ materials. In most cases, these items can not be recycled and end up in landfill.

An example of the impact of single use:

  • 50,000 takeaway coffee cups are thrown out every 30 minutes; 90% go to landfill.
  • If we reduced takeaway coffee cups by 30%, business would save $104m; 1,650 tonnes of plastic would be avoided; 11,250 tonnes of timber would be saved

Pilot audit

In 2024, North East Waste audited a small market held in Murwillumbah. This event included 1 food vendor, 1 sweets vendor, 1 coffee vendor, 1 juice vendor and a semi-indoor cafe pavillion. Four (4) general waste bins were audited at the event, with waste items counted and sorted. A selection of event attendees were surveyed.

Summary of results:

  • 94% said they consumed on-site, and the remainder said a combination of both on-site and off-site
  • 41% said they had brought a water bottle with them
  • knowledge about what bin certain single use items should go in was low - all respondents said food-soiled fibre-based packaging and cups could go in recycling, only 11% answered correctly for cutlery and bioplastics in landfill
  • 40% of respondents said they would agree to reusables if supplied free of charge; 34% said they needed further information; 11% didn’t mind paying a deposit for reusables as long as it was returned to them


This page is currently under review in preparation for the exhibition of the draft Single Use Materials and Packaging Policy in early 2026.

Tweed Shire Council is taking action on unnecessary waste from single use items, such as coffee cups, plates, bowls and platters. Council has drafted a Single Use Materials and Packaging Policy and we're seeking your feedback.

The policy aims to avoid single use materials - plastic or otherwise - instead promoting reusable items. The policy applies to Council staff and operations, Council sponsored and licensed events, and users of Council sites.

The objectives of the policy are to:

  1. Avoid or reduce waste to landfill
  2. Reduce pollution in waterways and natural environments in the Tweed
  3. Increase use of reusable alternatives
  4. Minimise greenhouse gas emissions
  5. Encourage further community action to avoid waste.

The policy proposes a tiered approach, with phased implementation to allow events, groups and activities time to plan and adapt to the new policy.

Have your say

We're asking everyone to play a part in reducing waste to landfill. Please read the draft policy and implementation guide before submitting your feedback so your input can be properly considered in the final recommendations.

Share your feedback by 4pm Wednesday 25 March 2026 in one of the following ways:

  • Online: using the feedback form below
  • Email: tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au(External link)
  • Mail: Single use materials and packaging policy, General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816 MURWILLUMBAH NSW 2484

Previous consultation

During 2025, Council met, surveyed and interviewed a range of event organisers and market operators in the Tweed to better understand the current practices and challenges faced by event organisers, venues and groups in reducing single-use materials and other disposable items.

As part of an EPA-funded program with North East Waste, Council has trialled the use of reusables at the Murwillumbah Show and a school swimming carnival at TRAC. Council has also taken note of learnings from similar trials in the Northern Rivers region, including Byron, Ballina and Lismore council areas.

Background to the policy

Strategic objective 1.6 of the Towards Zero Waste strategy targets a 25% reduction in waste generation, with action 1.6c targeting the ban of single use plastic items (straws, cups, stirrers, cutlery and takeaway containers) across all Council facilities and events in the medium term (3-5 years). In the Tweed, bans on these items fall into line with state-based legislation, which came into effect from November 2022.

While common single use plastics listed above have largely been removed from the waste stream, in many cases these have been replaced with other single use materials, such as cardboard, ‘eco-friendly’ materials such as fibre/sugarcane plates and other ‘compostable’ materials. In most cases, these items can not be recycled and end up in landfill.

An example of the impact of single use:

  • 50,000 takeaway coffee cups are thrown out every 30 minutes; 90% go to landfill.
  • If we reduced takeaway coffee cups by 30%, business would save $104m; 1,650 tonnes of plastic would be avoided; 11,250 tonnes of timber would be saved

Pilot audit

In 2024, North East Waste audited a small market held in Murwillumbah. This event included 1 food vendor, 1 sweets vendor, 1 coffee vendor, 1 juice vendor and a semi-indoor cafe pavillion. Four (4) general waste bins were audited at the event, with waste items counted and sorted. A selection of event attendees were surveyed.

Summary of results:

  • 94% said they consumed on-site, and the remainder said a combination of both on-site and off-site
  • 41% said they had brought a water bottle with them
  • knowledge about what bin certain single use items should go in was low - all respondents said food-soiled fibre-based packaging and cups could go in recycling, only 11% answered correctly for cutlery and bioplastics in landfill
  • 40% of respondents said they would agree to reusables if supplied free of charge; 34% said they needed further information; 11% didn’t mind paying a deposit for reusables as long as it was returned to them


Page last updated: 12 Jan 2026, 03:29 PM