Australia has been urged to establish national guidelines for plastic recycling in order to achieve consistent recycling practices across the country. During a parliamentary inquiry on plastic pollution in Australia’s oceans and waterways, Clean Up Australia’s CEO, Jenny Geddes, highlighted the need for clearer rules on plastic recycling to ensure proper adherence. She noted that while there is a desire to participate in recycling, people often make mistakes due to the lack of clarity. Plastic recycling rules currently vary between states, territories, and even within cities, making it difficult for businesses to understand and follow them.
Clean Up Australia’s recent Rubbish Report revealed that plastic makes up 63% of the rubbish collected from various public places, representing a 17% increase from the previous year. Soft plastics posed the greatest challenge, with a 7% increase, followed by hard plastics and polystyrene with 5% increases compared to 2021. The collapse of the REDCycle soft plastic recycling collection program in November 2022 has further exacerbated Australia’s plastic waste challenges. A report by the Minderoo Foundation found that Australia generates the highest amount of single-use plastic waste per capita in the world, equivalent to 60 kilograms per person per year.
Geddes also highlighted the issue of disposable vapes, which were increasingly found during Clean Up Australia Day. She emphasized that illegal vapes contribute to a lack of trust in recycling efforts. Geddes urged the federal government to address the issue through the National Plastic Plan, which states that Australia consumes 70 billion pieces of soft plastic annually, approximately 3,000 pieces per person.
Currently, the most convenient way to dispose of household waste items in Australia is through the kerbside recycling service provided by local councils. While specific rules may differ between councils, most accept paper, cardboard, metal cans, plastic containers, and glass bottles. The Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) program helps consumers identify recyclable products, providing easy-to-understand information on packaging. The Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is another recycling initiative that offers a 10-cent refund per eligible container recycled. All states and territories in Australia, except Victoria and Tasmania, have implemented recycling schemes, with Victoria planning to launch CDS Vic in November 2023 and Tasmania launching Recycle Rewards.
The Australian government’s National Plastic Plan outlines the country’s strategy to increase plastic recycling, find alternatives to unnecessary plastics, and reduce the environmental impact of plastic. The plan aims to phase out problematic plastics, such as those that do not meet compostable standards, and expand polystyrene molded packing. By 2025, the industry targets include having 100% of packaging being reusable, recyclable, or compostable and phasing out unnecessary single-use plastics. The plan also aims for 70% of plastic packaging to be recycled or composted, with 50% average recycled content in packaging by 2025.
Plastic Free July, an initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation, encourages participants to reduce plastic pollution by making small changes in their lives. The campaign urges the avoidance of single-use plastic products, such as bottled beverages, and promotes the use of reusable coffee cups and the avoidance of plastic packaging. Since its launch, Plastic Free July has made a significant impact, reducing global demand for bottled water, fruit and vegetable packaging, and plastic straws.
In conclusion, establishing national guidelines for plastic recycling is essential for achieving consistent recycling practices in Australia. Clear rules and guidelines will help ensure proper adherence to recycling practices, address the growing issue of plastic pollution, and foster sustainability efforts in the country.