eBay Australia Bans Single-Use Plastics on Its Platform With Immediate Effect

eBay Australia is tackling a pressing environmental issue head-on: plastic waste. The company has implemented a new selling policy that prohibits the sale of certain disposable plastic items within Australia.

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This policy update follows a similar policy already in place on its UK marketplace, which was implemented last year.

Single-use plastics, often referred to as SUPs, have been targeted by governments around the globe. Due to their inherent design, they are intended for one-time use and are then discarded, contributing significantly to the problem of plastic pollution.

In Australia, the National Retailers Association has been actively supporting efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics. The association encourages governments to establish consistent regulations to facilitate compliance among retailers.

Furthermore, eBay had previously alerted sellers about this potential policy update, but didn’t provide guidance on an effective date. Now, the company has officially posted a policy change that completely bans the sale of SUPs with immediate effect.

eBay Australia said its enforcement may include “administratively ending listings or canceling transactions, hiding or lowering the placement of listings in search results, lowering seller rating, restricting buying or selling, forfeiture of fees, loss of buyer or seller protections, restricting access to member communication and rating tools, removing Feedback, and account suspension.”

The prohibited items include:

• Checkout bags for groceries and other goods
• Cutlery such as forks, knives, and spoons
• Straws and stirrers
• Food and beverage containers, plates, and lids
• Cigarette filters
• Cotton bud sticks
• Balloon sticks and ties
• Wet wipes for personal care and cleaning
• Sanitary towels, tampons, and tampon applicators made with plastic
• Non-biodegradable plastic tea bags
• Confetti

eBay Australia Takes Strong Stance

By banning the sale of these items on its platform, eBay Australia is taking a strong stance and encouraging a shift toward reusable alternatives.

The company says it is setting an example for responsible plastic usage and urging sellers to take responsibility for their contributions to this issue. Furthermore, it hopes to inspire other businesses to follow suit, driving a positive shift toward greater environmental consciousness.

To learn more about this policy update and its potential impact on your listings, you can refer to the eBay FAQ here.