Australia's Annual Plastic Waste: A Troubling Reality

Australia's plastic waste problem is a pressing issue. Australians generate more single-use plastic waste per capita than any other country in the world – about 60 kilograms a year. This equates to 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with 84% of this being sent to landfill and only 13% being recycled. Single-use plastics make up about 30% of this waste, including items such as plastic bags, coffee cups and lids, straws, and fast food containers.

Plastic waste and recycling

Australia has a huge problem with single-use plastic waste. Australians generate more single-use plastic waste per capita than any other country in the world – about 60 kilograms a year. This is followed closely by the US, according to research from the Minderoo Foundation. In contrast, the average person in China – the largest producer of single-use plastic by volume – generates 18 kilograms, while in India, that figure is only four kilograms a year. The global average is about 15 kilograms a year.

In 2018-2019, Australia used 3.4 million tonnes of plastics, with one million tonnes of this being single-use plastic. 84% of plastic is sent to landfill and only 13% is recycled. This means that each year in Australia, approximately 130,000 tonnes of plastic leaks into the marine environment.

Recent Greenpeace analysis found that Australians alone use over 9.7 billion single-use plastic bags annually. This includes 45 plastic produce bags, 50 plastic straws, about 70 plastic cups for hot liquid and 35 for cold, according to a 2021 report commissioned by the Australian government.

In order to curb the amount of plastic pollution in Australia, it is important to stop relying on plastic products with such a short life span. While plastics represent a very small portion of total waste in Australia (around 3%), the data reflects the weight of plastics, which are lightweight compared to other materials, and does not reflect the volume of plastics used in Australia, nor their associated environmental impacts such as pollution and litter, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage.

Single-use plastic bags

Australia uses a huge amount of plastic each year, with around 3.4 million tonnes of plastic used in 2018-2019. Of this, one million tonnes is single-use plastic, which is used briefly and then thrown away. Australians generate more single-use plastic waste per capita than any other country in the world, with an average of 60 kilograms per person per year.

The impact of single-use plastic bags on the environment is significant. In Australia, approximately 130,000 tonnes of plastic leak into the marine environment each year. If plastic production continues at its current level, there will be 12 million kilograms of waste in landfills or the natural environment by 2050. This waste has serious environmental impacts, including pollution, litter, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage.

Plastic pollution

In total, Australia uses around 3.4 million tonnes of plastic annually, with one million tonnes of this being single-use plastic. Of this plastic waste, only about 13% is recycled, while the remaining 84% is sent to landfill. This low recycling rate contributes to the country's plastic pollution problem.

The environmental impact of Australia's plastic waste is significant. Each year, approximately 130,000 tonnes of plastic leak into the marine environment, posing a threat to marine life and ecosystems. Plastic pollution can also lead to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and littering.

To address this issue, some Australian states have taken steps to ban certain single-use plastic items. For example, New South Wales (NSW) recently banned a number of single-use plastic products, following the lead of Western Australia and South Australia. Additionally, organisations like Greenpeace Australia Pacific are advocating for a reduction in the use of single-use plastics to curb plastic pollution.

Despite these efforts, Australia's plastic consumption is increasing, and it is projected that global plastic use will double by 2040. This highlights the urgent need for further action to reduce plastic pollution and its associated environmental impacts.

Plastic waste in landfills

A large proportion of this plastic ends up in landfills. In 2020-21, 87% of plastic waste was sent to landfill, with only 13% being recycled. This is a slight improvement from 2016-17, when the same percentage was recycled, but it still means that the vast majority of plastic waste is not being properly dealt with.

Single-use plastic is a particular problem. Australians generate more single-use plastic waste per capita than any other country in the world—about 60 kilograms a year. This includes items such as plastic produce bags, straws, coffee cups and lids, and fast food containers. These items are used briefly and then thrown away, but they can take decades or even centuries to decompose.

The consequences of this plastic waste are severe. In Australia, approximately 130,000 tonnes of plastic leak into the marine environment each year. If plastic production continues at its current level, there will be 12 million kilograms of waste in landfills or the natural environment by 2050. This waste has a huge impact on the environment, contributing to pollution, litter, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage.

Plastic waste in the marine environment

Australia uses a huge amount of plastic each year, with about 3.4 million tonnes of plastic used in 2018-2019. Of this, one million tonnes is single-use plastic, which is flimsy and used briefly before being thrown away. Australians generate more single-use plastic waste per capita than any other country in the world, with about 60 kilograms of single-use plastic waste per person each year. This is in contrast to the global average of 15 kilograms per person per year.

A large proportion of Australia's plastic waste ends up in the marine environment, with approximately 130,000 tonnes of plastic leaking into the ocean each year. This is a result of the fact that 84% of plastic waste is sent to landfill, with only 13% being recycled.

The impact of this plastic waste on the marine environment is significant. Plastic can take decades or even centuries to decompose, and during this time it can have devastating effects on marine life. Marine animals can become entangled in plastic waste or ingest it, leading to injury or death. Plastic pollution can also disrupt marine ecosystems and food chains, and contribute to the spread of invasive species.

In recent years, there have been efforts to reduce single-use plastic waste in Australia. Several states have banned a number of single-use plastic items, and there have been calls for more widespread bans and restrictions on plastic production and consumption. However, plastic consumption in Australia is increasing and is projected to double by 2040. As such, it is crucial that further action is taken to address the issue of plastic waste in the marine environment.

Frequently asked questions