Premium Iced Drinks Start Here: A Compliant Glass Alternative Under the WA Plastic Ban
The WA plastic ban has significantly changed how cafés, coffee shops and beverage businesses package drinks prepared onsite. Popular plastic jars, cups and PET-style cans that were once used for iced lattes, iced coffees, matcha and juices are now restricted, pushing many businesses to look for compliant plastic alternatives.
Glass packaging offers a practical, sustainable and café-ready solution.
What the WA Plastic Ban Means for Café Drink Packaging
Under Western Australia’s plastic ban, plastic jars or cans that are filled and sealed onsite are included in the ban. This applies when a customer orders a drink and the business prepares it in-store, fills a plastic vessel, and then adds a lid or seal.
The WA plastics ban guidance explains that plastic jars, cups or cans prepared onsite, even when sealed with a metal or plastic lid, are not permitted. This commonly affects iced drinks such as coffee, matcha, iced tea and juice made fresh for customers.
Pre-packaged drinks that arrive at a store already sealed are generally exempt, however most café takeaway drinks are prepared onsite, meaning many plastic packaging options are no longer compliant.
For cafés across Perth and Western Australia, this has made finding plastic alternatives for café packaging essential.
Why Glass Jars Are a Smart Plastic Alternative
Glass jars are not captured under the WA plastic ban, making them a compliant and future-ready option for onsite-prepared drinks. They provide a clear alternative to plastic jars and PET-style cans while maintaining ease of use in busy café environments.
Ward Packaging’s glass jar range is designed to support cafés transitioning away from banned plastics:
Suitable for drinks prepared and sealed onsite
A compliant alternative under the WA plastic ban
Ideal for iced lattes, iced coffee, matcha, cold brew and juices
Premium look that enhances café presentation
Sizes Designed for Café Drinks
The range is available in 250ml, 375ml and 467ml, covering everything from smaller serves to large grab-and-go drinks.
Paired with 63mm twist-top caps, these jars are easy to fill, seal and display in café fridges. The clear flint glass showcases layered drinks, vibrant matcha, and creamy iced coffee, helping products stand out while remaining compliant.
Sustainable Café Packaging That Customers Value
Beyond compliance, glass packaging supports sustainability goals that many WA cafés are working toward:
Fully recyclable
Reusable by customers
Reduces reliance on single-use plastics
Aligns with customer expectations for eco-conscious café packaging
For businesses affected by the WA plastic ban, switching to glass is not just a necessity, it is an opportunity to improve presentation and sustainability at the same time.
A Practical Solution for WA Cafés Adapting to the Plastic Ban
If your café or beverage business prepares drinks onsite and previously relied on plastic jars or cans, glass jars provide a reliable and compliant plastic alternative.
Ward Packaging’s new glass jar range makes it easy to adapt your café packaging to current WA regulations while offering a premium, professional finish for iced drinks.
Premium iced drinks start here, with compliant glass packaging designed for WA cafés.
WA Plastic Ban FAQ Section
Frequently Asked Questions: WA Plastic Ban and Café Packaging
Are plastic jars and cans banned under the WA plastic ban?
Yes. Under the WA plastic ban, plastic jars, cups or cans that are filled and sealed onsite are banned. This includes situations where a café prepares a drink after it is ordered and then adds a lid or seal to a plastic container.
Are pre-packaged drinks still allowed?
Pre-packaged drinks that arrive at a café already sealed and untouched are generally exempt from the ban. However, most café iced drinks such as iced coffee, matcha and juices are prepared onsite, meaning plastic containers used for these drinks are usually not permitted.
Is glass packaging allowed under the WA plastic ban?
Yes. Glass packaging is not included in the WA plastic ban, making it a compliant option for cafés preparing drinks onsite. Glass jars can be filled and sealed in-store without breaching the ban.