Use reusable cutlery

• Keep reusable cutlery in your bag, car or desk drawer
• Say no to disposable cutlery when you grab takeaway or order in
• Give it a wash and pop it back so it’s ready for next time
• Snap a photo of your cutlery kit to log this pledge

Six states and territories (SA, Queensland, the ACT, WA, NSW and Victoria) have banned single-use plastic cutlery since 2021. That’s great progress. But the bans swap one disposable for another. Wooden forks are still allowed as single-use alternatives, and they still get used for a few minutes and thrown out.

Plastic is still the main thing we find as litter, too. In Clean Up Australia’s latest Litter Report, plastics made up 80.8% of everything volunteers counted.

Using the cutlery you already own is about as simple as it gets. No new stuff, no fuss, and a metal fork beats a wooden one with your lunch anyway.

Because protecting the places we play can be as simple as what’s in your bag. 💙

• Raid the drawer: No need to buy a special set. A fork, spoon and knife from home do the job.
• Wrap it up: A cloth napkin or old tea towel keeps it clean in your bag and stops the rattle.
• Watch the ‘eco’ swaps: Wooden and bamboo disposables still get used once and binned. In SA, plant-based plastic cutlery is banned right alongside the regular kind.
• Say it early: Ask for “no cutlery, thanks” when you order, and untick the cutlery option if you’re ordering through an app.
• Keep a desk set: A spare set at work covers lunch every day, even when you forget your bag.
• Club BBQ or presentation night? Ask everyone to BYO cutlery, or borrow a box of real stuff from the clubhouse kitchen.
• Already doing this? Rope in your workplace. Ask if the office kitchen can keep real cutlery so nobody reaches for disposables at the next morning tea.