Helena Joyce
Australia is taking several steps to tackle plastic pollution, which is threatening the country's beautiful coastlines and marine wildlife. With plastic consumption per person increasing from 123kg in 2010 to 147kg in 2021, and only 19% of that recycled, plastic waste is an urgent issue. Australians are consuming 3.5 million tonnes of plastic annually, more than three times the global average, with up to 145,000 tonnes leaking into marine environments each year. To address this, six out of eight states and territories have introduced laws banning harmful single-use plastics, with more laws in development. Australians are also encouraged to use less plastic, with initiatives like Plastic Free July and the Nude pledge by WWF-Australia, which asks people to skip plastic-wrapped produce. Additionally, companies like PlanetCare and L'Oréal are offering solutions like microfibre filters for washing machines and replacing plastic microbeads with mineral-based ingredients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic consumption | 3.5 million tonnes of plastic every year (5 kg per person) |
| Plastic consumption compared to global average | More than three times the global average |
| Plastic consumption in 2010 | 123 kg per person |
| Plastic consumption in 2021 | 147 kg per person |
| Percentage of plastic recycled | 19% |
| Amount of plastic leaking into marine environments | 145,000 tonnes |
| Amount of plastic leaking into marine environments (according to another source) | 130,000 tonnes |
| Amount of plastic entering oceans globally each year | 6-12 million metric tonnes |
| Amount of plastic in oceans by 2050 if current trends continue | More plastic than fish |
| Percentage of plastic reduction target in Australian environment by 2030 | 80% |
| Example of an innovative packaging solution | Using 100% sheep waste wool for insulated, thermal packaging |
| Example of an initiative to reduce cigarette butt litter | The Sunshine Coast Voting Ballot Box initiative |
| Example of an alternative packaging solution | Mushroom packaging (MycoCompostite) that can be composted at home within 30 days |
| Example of a filter to stop microfibres from polluting the environment | PlanetCare washing machine filters |
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What You'll Learn
Banning single-use plastics
Australia is taking steps to address its plastic pollution problem, as it is one of the biggest consumers of single-use plastic per person in the world. In 2021, Australia's plastic consumption was 147kg per person, with only 19% of that recycled. This has severe impacts on wildlife, with approximately 130,000 to 145,000 tonnes of plastic leaking into the marine environment each year.
To tackle this issue, six out of eight Australian states and territories have introduced laws to ban some of the most harmful and unnecessary single-use plastics. These bans have been achieved through the collective efforts of individuals, organisations, and businesses advocating for change. The priority is to target the top six offenders that constitute the majority of single-use plastics collected during litter clean-ups. This includes items such as plastic bags, discarded fishing lines, and balloon strings, which are highly lethal to marine animals.
The Australian government is listening to its citizens, as research shows that eight out of ten Australians want manufacturers and retailers to be responsible for reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic packaging. Australians are also encouraged to make conscious choices to reduce their plastic consumption, such as choosing products with minimal plastic packaging and using reusable shopping bags, bottles, and coffee cups.
In addition to bans, Australia is also investing in innovative solutions to combat plastic pollution. For example, Planet Protector Packaging uses sheep waste wool for insulated, recyclable, or compostable packaging. New technologies are being piloted in Sydney Harbour to prevent plastic pollution in oceans, and Australia is partnering with other countries to reduce litter globally.
Through a combination of legislative action, public awareness, and innovative solutions, Australia is making significant progress in banning single-use plastics and addressing its plastic pollution crisis.
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Alternative packaging solutions
Australia is one of the biggest consumers of single-use plastic per person in the world. In 2021, plastic consumption per person was 147kg, with only 19% of that recycled. To tackle this, Australia has introduced a range of alternative packaging solutions.
The Australian Government has partnered with other jurisdictions and industries to reduce the environmental impacts of packaging through the Australian Packaging Covenant. This requires companies to design more recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging. For example, the City of Hobart has a bylaw targeted at single-use plastic items at takeaway food retailers, prohibiting shop operators from providing takeaway plastic packaging.
The National Plastics Plan outlines an approach to increase recycling, find alternatives to plastic, and reduce plastic's environmental impact. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to establish a timetable to ban the export of waste plastic, and the National Waste Policy Action Plan (NWPAP) was agreed upon by Australia's environment ministers.
Businesses are also scaling up innovative non-plastic alternatives to traditional plastic packaging. Evoware, for instance, uses edible seaweed film for packaging foodstuffs, which is odourless, tasteless, and lasts up to two years in a cool, dry environment. US company MonoSol produces a range of transparent ethylene-based polymers that dissolve in water and are edible and biodegradable.
Bonson, a packaging supplier, offers a wide range of packaging made from sustainable materials such as sugarcane and paper. They also support the shift to reusable and recyclable options in plastic packaging.
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Recycling and repurposing
Australia is taking several steps to address the issue of plastic pollution through recycling and repurposing. While single-use plastics are a significant contributor to plastic waste, there is a growing movement towards banning or reducing their use. Six out of eight states and territories have introduced laws to prohibit some of the most harmful and unnecessary single-use plastic products, and more laws are in development. This is in response to Australia's high consumption of single-use plastics, with each Australian consuming an average of 147kg of plastic in 2021, more than three times the global average.
Various organisations are also playing a crucial role in promoting recycling and repurposing. WWF-Australia, for instance, has developed Australia's first single-use plastic scorecard to track the progress of states and territories in tackling this issue. They also advocate for the support of visionary businesses, such as Planet Protector Packaging, which uses sheep waste wool for insulated and recyclable packaging, and BioFab, which offers mushroom-based packaging that can be composted at home.
CSIRO, a scientific research organisation, is tackling plastic waste through innovative science and technology. They aim for an 80% reduction in plastic waste entering the Australian environment by 2030. Their initiatives include developing compostable bioplastics, recycling ghost nets and marine debris, and partnering with Kimberly Clark Australia to reduce waste in the nappy industry.
Other initiatives include container deposit schemes that allow refunds to be donated to charity, encouraging the use of reusable shopping bags and coffee cups, and fitting washing machines with microfibre filters to prevent microfibres from entering the environment. Australians are also urged to choose products with minimal plastic packaging to reduce plastic consumption and promote recycling.
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Reducing plastic waste
Australia is taking steps to address its plastic pollution problem, which sees around 130,000 to 145,000 tonnes of plastic leak into marine environments every year. Australians consume 3.5 million tonnes of plastic annually, more than three times the global average, and only 19% of this is recycled.
To reduce plastic waste, Australia has introduced laws to ban some harmful single-use plastics, with more laws in development. Australians are encouraged to avoid single-use plastics and choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging. Reusable shopping bags, bottles, and cups are recommended.
Innovative solutions are also being developed, such as Planet Protector Packaging's use of sheep waste wool for insulated, recyclable, or compostable packaging. New Zealand's BioFab uses mushroom packaging that can be composted at home within 30 days. L'Oréal has replaced plastic microbeads with mineral-based ingredients in some of its products. PlanetCare sells washing machine filters that stop 90% of microfibres from polluting the environment.
Australia is also working to reduce plastic waste in specific industries, such as partnering with Kimberly Clark Australia on the Nappy Loop Project to tackle waste in the nappy industry. Additionally, new technologies will be piloted in Sydney Harbour to prevent plastic pollution from reaching the ocean.
By 2030, Australia aims to reduce plastic waste entering the environment by 80%.
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Protecting marine life
One key strategy is the push to phase out single-use plastics. Australia has recognised the detrimental impact of these plastics on marine life, with items like plastic bags, discarded fishing lines, and balloon strings posing lethal threats through entanglement and ingestion. As a result, six out of eight states and territories have introduced laws to ban some of the most harmful and unnecessary single-use plastics, with more laws in development. Australians are also encouraged to make conscious choices, such as opting for products with minimal or no plastic packaging and embracing reusable alternatives.
Innovative solutions are being explored to address the issue. For instance, Planet Protector Packaging uses 100% sheep waste wool for insulated, recyclable, or compostable packaging. Additionally, New Zealand's BioFab employs mushroom packaging (MycoCompostite) as a creative and compostable replacement for polystyrene. These eco-friendly alternatives contribute to reducing plastic pollution and offer safer options for marine life.
Research and scientific advancements play a pivotal role in protecting marine life. CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, is leading the way with award-winning research on marine debris and innovative technologies to tackle plastic pollution. Their work includes investigating ways to recycle ghost nets and marine debris in remote areas, as well as partnering with global initiatives to reduce litter entering the oceans. By understanding the sources, amounts, and types of plastic pollution, Australia can implement effective solutions.
Furthermore, awareness campaigns and educational resources provided by organisations like Marine Conservation Australia play a vital role in protecting marine life. By spreading knowledge about the impact of plastic on oceans and marine wildlife, individuals can make informed choices to reduce their plastic consumption and disposal habits. This includes supporting visionary businesses that prioritise sustainable practices and contribute to the overall effort to protect Australia's marine ecosystems and the planet.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is taking several measures to combat plastic pollution. Six out of eight states and territories have introduced laws to ban some of the most harmful and unnecessary single-use plastics, with more laws in development. Australia is also tackling plastic pollution through innovative science and technology, aiming for an 80% reduction in plastic waste entering the Australian environment by 2030. Additionally, Australians, organisations, and businesses are demonstrating their commitment to finding creative solutions, such as using sheep waste wool for packaging and mushroom-based alternatives to polystyrene.
Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to marine wildlife in Australia. Discarded plastic items such as plastic bags, fishing lines, and balloon strings can entangle and choke turtles, seabirds, and dolphins. Plastic also absorbs hazardous chemicals, which accumulate over time and are ingested by marine animals, potentially entering the human food chain.
Individuals in Australia can make a difference by reducing their consumption of single-use plastics and supporting businesses that do the same. They can also choose products with minimal plastic packaging and remember to use reusable shopping bags, bottles, and coffee cups. These actions send important signals to businesses and the government, influencing their approach to plastic production and waste management.
