Omar Khalid
Plastic waste is a pressing issue in Australia, threatening the country's beautiful coastlines and marine wildlife. With plastic consumption increasing and only 14-16% of plastic waste recycled, there is a growing need to address this issue. While the Australian government has implemented various plans and policies, including the National Waste Policy and a goal to end plastic pollution by 2040, the focus remains on recovery rather than reducing plastic production and consumption. To effectively tackle plastic waste, a combination of government policies, individual actions, and support for sustainable businesses is required. Australians can make a significant impact by adopting reusable alternatives, choosing products with minimal packaging, and disposing of waste correctly. Additionally, innovative solutions like sheep waste wool packaging and mushroom-based replacements for polystyrene offer promising alternatives to traditional plastics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current recycling rate | 14%-16% |
| National target for recycling rate | 70% |
| Plastic consumed per person in 2010 | 123kg |
| Plastic consumed per person in 2021 | 147kg |
| Amount of plastic consumed in Australia by 2050 | Double the current amount |
| Amount of plastic waste recovered through recycling, composting or energy recovery in the last 20 years | 15% |
| States with the most types of single-use plastic banned | Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland |
| States with the least types of single-use plastic banned | Tasmania |
| Organisations working to reduce plastic waste | WWF-Australia, CSIRO, Sustainability Victoria, MMF, PlanetCare, Unilever, L'Oréal |
| Innovative solutions | Using sheep waste wool for packaging, mushroom packaging, microfibre filters for washing machines |
| Actions individuals can take | Choose products with minimal plastic packaging, use reusable shopping bags and bottles, support sustainable businesses |
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What You'll Learn
Ban single-use plastics
Australia is one of the biggest consumers of single-use plastic per person in the world, with plastic consumption growing from 123kg per person in 2010 to 147kg in 2021. Only 14% of this plastic is recycled, with the rest contributing to plastic pollution. Recognising the detrimental impact of single-use plastics on the environment, all Australian states and territories have committed to banning certain single-use plastics.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government's first ban on single-use plastic items came into force on 1 July 2022, prohibiting items such as plastic cutlery, straws, plates, bowls, heavyweight carry bags, and expanded polystyrene food and beverage containers. The New South Wales Government's ban commenced on 1 November 2022, while Queensland's ban began on 1 September 2021, including items like plastic straws, drink stirrers, and expanded polystyrene containers.
South Australia was the first jurisdiction in Australia to address single-use plastics on a statewide basis, with its first ban commencing on 1 March 2021. Banned items include plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls, and heavyweight carry bags. Victoria followed suit with its ban starting on 1 February 2023, targeting similar single-use plastic items. Western Australia's first ban on single-use plastics came into effect in 2022, covering items such as plastic cotton bud sticks, cutlery, straws, and expanded polystyrene containers.
These bans are a positive step towards reducing plastic waste in Australia, protecting wildlife, and safeguarding the environment. Businesses and community organisations must comply with these bans, and penalties apply for breaches. Australians can also play their part by choosing products with minimal or no plastic packaging, using reusable shopping bags, and supporting sustainable businesses offering non-plastic alternatives.
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Recycle, compost, or reuse plastic
Recycling, composting, and reusing plastic are all important strategies for reducing plastic waste in Australia. While Australia has made some progress in tackling single-use plastics, it is still one of the biggest consumers of single-use plastic per person globally, and plastic consumption has been increasing. Here are some ways to recycle, compost, or reuse plastic:
Recycling
Recycling plastic can be challenging due to factors such as the complexity of the chemical makeup of certain plastics, contamination with food, or the use of various materials that are difficult to separate. However, recycling plastic is still an important step towards reducing plastic waste. Here are some tips for recycling plastic:
- Check with your local area to understand what can be placed in kerbside recycling bins.
- Look for recycling labels on products to determine if they are recyclable through your kerbside bins or other systems.
- For plastics that are not recyclable, consider reusing them for alternative purposes, such as lining small trash bins or picking up pet waste.
- Reuse plastic bags multiple times to minimise waste.
- Opt for reusable alternatives, such as reusable shopping bags, bottles, and cups, to reduce the need for single-use plastics.
Composting
Composting is the natural breakdown of organic matter by fungi, bacteria, insects, worms, and other organisms to create nutrient-rich compost that benefits soil and plants. Composting is particularly useful for food service packaging contaminated with food scraps. Here are some tips for composting:
- Check for certifications and labels that indicate whether a product is compostable.
- If certified, dispose of the product in your home compost or send it to an industrial compost facility.
- If composting facilities are not available, consider advocating for compostable options by writing to your local council or signing relevant petitions.
Reusing
Reusing plastic products is an effective way to minimise waste. Here are some tips for reusing plastic:
- Reuse plastic bags multiple times and consider alternative uses, such as lining small trash bins.
- Opt for reusable alternatives, such as reusable shopping bags, bottles, and cups, to reduce the need for single-use plastics.
- Support innovative sustainable businesses that offer rent/return schemes or create non-plastic alternatives.
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Support sustainable businesses
Supporting sustainable businesses is a great way to reduce plastic waste in Australia. Here are some ways to do that:
Choose products with minimal plastic packaging
When shopping, opt for products with little to no plastic packaging. This sends a signal to businesses that you support sustainable practices. For example, bring your own reusable shopping bags and produce bags, and choose products packaged in recyclable materials.
Support rent/return schemes
Help scale up innovative businesses that use rent/return schemes, such as RETURNR®, which offers reusable containers and bowls for a deposit that is refunded when the customer returns the clean item. Loop is another company that promotes products sold in reusable and refillable containers, with a small deposit fee that is refunded when the containers are returned.
Buy from companies using eco-friendly alternatives
Support companies that are creating eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. For example, Planet Protector Packaging uses sheep waste wool to create insulated, thermal packaging, with liners that are recyclable or compostable. BioFab uses mushroom packaging (MycoCompostite) as a creative replacement for polystyrene, which can be composted at home within 30 days and then used as fertiliser.
Support recycling initiatives
Support businesses that are taking steps to improve recycling. For example, SIMPLY CUPS, Australia's largest cup recycling program, has teamed up with 7-Eleven Australia to provide cup recycling stations at their stores, and they also offer recycling collection units to schools and workplaces.
Sign petitions and support policy changes
Add your voice to petitions that encourage politicians and governments to implement changes to reduce plastic waste, such as phasing out the worst single-use plastics and implementing a plastics tax. These actions send a clear message to businesses and governments that you support sustainable practices.
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Reduce plastic consumption
Australia is one of the biggest consumers of single-use plastic per person globally, and its plastic consumption has been steadily increasing. In 2021, plastic consumption per person was 147kg, up from 123kg in 2010, and only 14% of this was recycled. Australians can take several measures to reduce plastic consumption and protect their beautiful coastlines and marine wildlife.
One way to reduce plastic consumption is to support sustainable businesses and choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging. Consumers can also adopt reusable shopping bags, bottles, and cups, and avoid single-use plastic items such as plastic bags, coffee cups and lids, straws, and cutlery. Supporting innovative businesses that offer non-plastic alternatives or rent/return schemes can also help reduce plastic consumption.
Another way to reduce plastic waste is to dispose of plastic items correctly to ensure they are recycled properly and do not end up in landfills or the ocean. Organisations like Sustainability Victoria provide resources to encourage proper waste disposal and reduce overall waste generation.
Additionally, consumers can advocate for policies that cap or phase out plastic use, such as a plastics tax, and support initiatives like the National Waste Policy and the Australian Packaging Covenant. These policies can help reduce plastic consumption and improve recycling practices.
Finally, consumers can join organisations like WWF-Australia, which aims to reduce plastic waste and protect wildlife. Through such organisations, individuals can learn about further actions to reduce plastic consumption and protect the environment.
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Improve waste disposal
Improving waste disposal practices is key to reducing plastic waste in Australia. While the country has made some progress in this area, the current recycling rate for plastic waste is only around 14-16%, with most plastic waste ending up in landfills or the environment. To address this issue, individuals, businesses, and governments need to work together to improve waste disposal practices and reduce plastic consumption.
At the individual level, Australians can make a significant impact by making small changes to their daily habits. This includes choosing products with minimal or no plastic packaging, using reusable shopping bags, bottles, and cups, and supporting sustainable businesses that offer non-plastic alternatives or rent/return schemes. Properly disposing of plastic waste and reducing overall waste generation can also help keep single-use plastics out of landfills and the environment.
Businesses and manufacturers also have a crucial role in improving waste disposal. They can reduce plastic packaging, reuse and recycle plastics, and innovate sustainable alternatives. For instance, Planet Protector Packaging uses sheep waste wool for insulated packaging, while New Zealand's BioFab offers mushroom-based packaging that can be home-composted and later used as fertiliser.
Additionally, extended producer responsibility schemes can be implemented, requiring producers to cover waste management and clean-up costs, as well as mandating labelling to highlight the environmental impact of their products. Governments can also play a pivotal role by introducing and enforcing effective policies. While Australia has released plans such as the National Waste Policy and the National Plastics Plan, a stronger focus on reducing plastic production and consumption, rather than just recovery, is necessary. Implementing a plastics tax and capping plastic usage can be considered as potential policy measures.
By improving waste disposal practices and reducing plastic consumption, Australia can significantly reduce its plastic waste and protect its beautiful coastlines and wildlife from the devastating impacts of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make a big impact by making small changes to how you use plastic. Choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging, use reusable shopping bags, bring your own reusable bottles, and support sustainable businesses.
Australia has introduced varied measures to reduce plastic waste, including banning different types of single-use plastics such as plastic bags, coffee cups, lids, and straws. Western Australia has banned the most single-use plastic types, with South Australia and Queensland close behind. However, there is currently no national plan to ban single-use plastics, and Australia's recycling rate is only 14-16%.
Some alternatives include using sheep waste wool for insulated packaging, mushroom packaging (MycoCompostite) as a replacement for polystyrene, and using natural ingredients such as apricot kernels, cornmeal, and walnut shells instead of plastic microbeads.
