All single-use plastic bottles will be banned from Zoos Victoria sites in an effort to move towards zero public waste going to landfill. Victorian Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said that from 1 May, single-use plastic bottled water and soft drinks, along with straws and plastic bags, will no longer be used or sold at Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary.
“This is a great outcome for the environment and builds on the work our Zoos already do protect marine wildlife and promote conservation.” Minister D’Ambrosio commented “Plastic pollution is an urgent environmental problem – that’s why we’re banning single-use, lightweight plastic shopping bags by the end of the year.”
The Minister said that Zoos Victoria is leading by example to reduce Victorians’ impact on the environment, advance the sustainable use of resources and help protect marine wildlife. The Minister went on to add that plastic pollution is an urgent environmental problem that is having a significant impact on marine wildlife – each year Zoos Victoria’s Marine Response Unit deals with an increasing number of callouts to marine wildlife in distress.

Minister D’Ambrosio said that Zoos Victoria is Victoria’s leading zoo-based conservation organisation – this move is part of a broader effort to influence visitors and other organisations to make positive changes towards a greener, more wildlife-friendly future.
“We’re investing in initiatives that maximise recycling and reduce the amount of material that goes to landfill – it’s fantastic to see Zoos Victoria taking strong leadership to help achieve that goal.” Minister D’Ambrosio commented.
Minister D’Ambrosio explained that from June this year, the three Zoo properties will have a new three-bin waste system available to the public – organics, comingled and soft-plastics, such as single-use food wrappers – so no public waste goes to landfill. The Minister went on to add that soft plastics will be recycled in Victoria through a circular economy arrangement where Zoos Victoria will buy back products made from the plastics it recycles.
Minister D’Ambrosio said that the Andrews Labor Government is banning single-use, lightweight plastic shopping bags in Victoria from November.