South Australia Bans Iconic Soy Sauce Bottles to Curb Plastic Waste

On September 1, 2025, the Australian state of South Australia implemented a new rule banning the sale of miniature, fish-shaped soy sauce bottles under 30 ml. This measure is part of the state's broader efforts to curb single-use plastic waste and protect marine life.

Officials say the tiny "soy sauce fish" containers are frequently dropped, blown away, or washed into drains, where they can reach waterways and be mistaken for food by marine animals. Even when disposed of properly, these small bottles are often too small for recycling sorters, ending up in landfills or as fugitive plastic.

The new regulation applies to all condiment containers under 30 ml, including both fish-shaped and rectangular mini bottles with lids, caps, or stoppers. Businesses in South Australia will now be required to use larger refillable dispensers, squeezable packs, sachets, or certified compostable options instead of the familiar soy sauce fish containers commonly seen at sushi bars and takeaway counters.

This latest expansion of South Australia's plastic ban also prohibits utensils or straws attached to food items, such as plastic-wrapped straws on juice boxes. The state's Environment Protection Authority will be responsible for enforcing the new rules, with penalties ranging from warnings to prosecution for non-compliance.