The Queensland government has quietly paused plans to ban a range of single-use plastics later this year, including plastic cups, bread bag tags and produce bags.

In 2022, the government unveiled a five-year plan that detailed the single-use items it wanted to outlaw and the time frame it was aiming for. 

Its road map indicated "possible" bans on plastic drinking cups, oxo-degradable plastics and expanded polystyrene trays — such as meat trays — would start from September 1.

Possible bans from September 1 had also been flagged for single-use produce bags — such as those used for fruit and vegetables — as well as balloon sticks, bread bag tags, and corflute tree guards.

But Queensland Environment Minister Leanne Linard confirmed to ABC Radio Brisbane that those proposed bans would now be put on hold as the state awaited a national strategy.

Ms Linard insisted Queensland remained committed to removing plastic waste from the environment, but said the government was looking forward to working with other states and territories.

"And all jurisdictions are participating in a Single Use Plastic Items (SUPI) Lifecycle Assessment (LCA), also anticipated for completion this year.

"While Queensland's five-year road map for action on SUPI flagged possible bans in 2024 and 2025, this work has been paused until the national harmonisation and SUPI LCA is completed."

World Wildlife Fund Australia oceans policy senior manager Kate Noble warned against a pause on measures that tackled plastic pollution.

"We're encouraged by states' and territories' intentions to work together to harmonise single-use plastic bans and this work is important," she said.

"But given the pollution risk of single-use plastics is so high, and given that these products are so wasteful, it's important that first movers continue to move forward with this work.

In September last year, the Queensland government banned several single-use items in line with its road map, including cotton buds with plastic stems and the release of lighter-than-air helium balloons.

Other single-use items that were already banned in Queensland included plastic straws, plates, cutlery, and stirrers.

The maximum penalty for a business or not-for-profit organisation that sells or supplies a single-use plastic item is a $7,740 fine.

A spokesperson for the federal Department of Environment also confirmed a national road map was being developed to harmonise the phase out of single-use plastics in Australia.

"We expect the road map will be brought forward for environment ministers' consideration this year."