Victorian Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio announced on Saturday that more single-use plastic items would be phased out and banned by 2023.

The single-use items include plastic straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, polystyrene food and drink containers and plastic cotton bud sticks.

Ms D'Ambrosio said the ban was a crucial step to protect rivers, waterways and oceans from plastic pollution - which is killing marine life including turtles, whales and seabirds.

With each Victorian sending an average of 68 kilograms of plastic to landfill each year, Ms D'Ambrosio encouraged all Victorians to play their part and choose to avoid using single-use plastics in their daily lives and instead opt for a more sustainable and reusable alternative.

"Single-use plastic items - like straws and plastic cups - make up about one-third of Victoria's litter. We need to change this, so we're getting rid of them."

"When you're at the supermarket or at a café, we all need to be mindful of the choices we make and reduce the single-use plastic we use. All Victorians can play their part."

The move comes after the Victorian government banned lightweight plastic shopping bags in November 1, 2019.

European Union member states introduced a similar ban on single-use plastics from January this year, while this week the sale, supply and distribution of single use plastics including plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery were banned in South Australia.

The first ban in Australia, polystyrene cups, bowls, plates, containers and oxo-degradable plastic products will be banned in a years' time.

Nicole Elliott from No Waste Ballarat said Victorians had adapted well to the plastic bag ban, so this was a positive next step.

She noted that single-use plastic products were only used for a few minutes before they wind up in the environment, where they remain for many years depending on the product.

Ms Elliott said there were already many effective and sustainable alternatives available but that the ban would open the door for more business opportunities which could drive down the price of the products.

While she said there were companies repurposing plastic waste into other products, to stop the plastic being distributed in the first place was significant.

To reduce the amount of plastic she uses, Ms Elliott always carries a reusable water bottle and cutlery with her and encouraged others to make decisions that work for them too.

"Start slowly now and by the time the ban comes in, we'll be ready. Same with businesses - use up what you've got and start to adapt now," she said.

Though pleased with the move, she said there was still some way to go - especially in terms of excessive plastic packaging in supermarkets.

"It's great and I'm really excited to see Victoria has taken this step. With the combination of the plastic bag ban and the container deposit scheme, hopefully our waste will reduce dramatically."

The ban will apply to all cafes, restaurants and organisations in Victoria by 2023, though many businesses have already started to transition to more sustainable alternatives.

In Ballarat, the Workshop Cafe - located in Federation University's SMB Campus on Albert Street in Ballarat Central - has been using more sustainable alternatives, such as wheat straws and environmentally-friendly packaging, for a while now.

Owner Meg Zerafa said she always tried to use more sustainable options to reduce the impact on the environment.

"We can control one thing and that's giving out the more sustainable products to our customers rather than plastic.

"If there's an alternative product we generally have it or find something else to use instead."

While acknowledging that sustainable options could sometimes be a little more expensive, she believes the cost in the long run - in terms of the environment - meant it was worth it.

In its retail section, the business also has a range of plastic alternatives - from bamboo toothbrushes and sustainable floss to metal straws and eco cleaning brushes.

Ms Zerafa would like to see more businesses adopting sustainable alternatives, even before the ban comes into force.

"Why wait for 2023? You can do it now.

"It's really the only way forward in terms of what we want to leave for our children and grandchildren. We need to keep it [the environment] in the best condition we possibly can."

The phase-out and eventual ban will not impact medical or scientific equipment, emergency services or other activities that require these plastics for health and safety reasons. The government will work with aged care and disability sectors to ensure appropriate exemptions apply.