Woolworths and Coles just made a big change to your grandkids’ favourite drinks

The humble soy sauce fish is swimming into history.

From lunch boxes to sushi platters, millions of Australians will soon have to say goodbye to these iconic little plastic containers.

But the changes don’t stop there—juice boxes are also getting a major makeover.

South Australia became the first place in the world to ban fish-shaped soy sauce containers on 1 September 2025, marking another bold step in the state’s fight against single-use plastics.

The decision has had immediate effects, with supermarkets nationwide swapping the plastic straws on juice boxes and mini-milk cartons for paper alternatives, after a legal loophole allowing them to remain attached was closed.

The tiny soy sauce fish may seem harmless, but each container is used for mere seconds while persisting in the environment for years.

They are easily dropped, blown away, or washed into drains, making them a common component of street and beach litter.

In kerbside recycling, they are too small to be sorted, often ending up in landfill or scattered as microplastics.

Marine animals and birds frequently mistake these plastics for food, risking ingestion, injury, or starvation, while caps and bodies can pose choking hazards.

The statistics are stark: plastic straws, used for an average of 20 minutes, can persist for up to 600 years, with Australians discarding an estimated 10 million per day, most of which cannot be recycled.

South Australia’s action has sparked a domino effect across the country, with New South Wales banning straws on drink containers from 1 January 2025 and Victoria following from 1 January 2026.

Major supermarkets have moved quickly, with Coles and Woolworths confirming their aisles are now free of plastic straws.

Coles highlighted they are 'always looking for ways to reduce unnecessary plastic from circulation'.

For Adelaide dad Rory Noke, the changes symbolise more than environmental policy.

South Australia’s plastic bans have been cumulative. Since the rollout began, businesses have removed over 15 million single-use items including straws, cutlery, cups, and takeaway packaging.

The state has methodically added new bans each September, giving businesses time to adapt.

Recent studies have added urgency to these efforts. A 2025 Lancet eBio Medicine study linked microplastic exposure to more than 350,000 deaths in one year, citing reduced sperm quality, kidney damage, and birth defects.

Microplastics harm marine life from plankton to whales, killing around 100,000 marine mammals annually and affecting all seven sea turtle species, over two-thirds of marine mammals, and 90 per cent of seabirds.

Consumers can still use plastic lollipop sticks, large soy dispensers, sachets, and coated paper cups or bowls for instant meals.

The soy fish can be replaced with bulk or refillable options, sachets, squeezable packs, or certified compostable containers.

Compliance is still a challenge. Dr Michelle Blewitt from the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project encountered a restaurant still using soy sauce fish.

'The lady I spoke to said, I need to use down my stock. And I said, no you can't, they're banned,' she said.

South Australians overwhelmingly support these bans, but enforcement is gradual, with fines up to $5,000, often preceded by warnings.

Environmental advocates are urging a shift towards reusable alternatives. Mel Rayner from Plastic Free South Australia said, 'It's not so much about banning more items now, it's about implementing reusables more.'

Dr Blewitt added that while paper straws are 'a great start,' the plastic sleeves attaching them are 'just as bad' as they are lightweight, can fly around, and children are unlikely to recycle them properly.

South Australia’s leadership continues to inspire nationwide action, dovetailing with global efforts such as the push for a legally binding plastics treaty.

For older Australians doing the weekly shop, the changes in lunch box aisles are immediate and noticeable.

Paper straws may be slightly less convenient, but manufacturers have improved their durability, offering a small compromise for a healthier planet.

As the state leads in environmental protection, the success of these bans could influence similar measures across the country.

For South Australia, always willing to make tough choices for the greater good, this milestone reinforces its reputation for environmental innovation.

What do you think about these new plastic bans—have you noticed the changes in your local supermarket, and are the alternatives working for your family?