South Australian food outlets will be allowed to have customers bring their own reusable containers without public liability issues under new laws passed in state parliament.
Changes to the Civil Liability Act remove issues for supermarkets, cafes and other providers if anything goes wrong with food purchased and transported in a BYO container.
The amendment was introduced in the Legislative Council by Greens MP Robert Simms and was progressed through the House of Assembly by the Labor government.
Businesses will still be able to choose whether to allow consumers to bring their own containers. The bill simply provides protection for the business and does not impose any requirements of them.
Environment Minister Susan Close said the cost to the environment and the carbon footprint of single-use items could not continue to be ignored.
"We know that food packaging waste carries an enormous cost for the environment," Ms Close said.
"Once the packaging has been disposed, it contributes to large quantities of landfill and can end up in our waterways."
Mr Simms said the change was a common-sense initiative that would be supported by businesses and consumers alike.
"South Australians have a proud track record when it comes to waste reduction and this is just another example of us leading the way," he said.
