Currently, only 11.5 per cent of recycled plastic is used again in locally made products , given the existing mechanical recycling and inadequate economic stimuli, such as occasional grants. Our big global advantage is having two plastic resin manufacturers and an almost complete plastics supply chain of manufacturers dotted across the country.
One key change would be ending our obsession with waste and weight. Plastics are fatal, fantastic and lightweight, and our policies and strategies must address value, long-term scarcity and the impact on climate. Where necessary, we must correct economic and market failures, and environmental damage.
Changes are underway, but we need to speed up. Just as REDcycle and other companies have shown us before, end markets for recycled plastics are essential. There is no point collecting it if there is nowhere for it to go. Every plastics collection scheme requires certainty of market and financial return with local sorters, re-processors and manufacturers.
Likewise, we must all commit to recognising or requiring products compliant with labels and certification schemes in imports, retail sales and purchasing choices. Make it easy for consumers. Shonky or non-compliant products or packaging, or loose schemes should not be sold or available or treated equally when manufacturer and brand leaders invest in better design for longer life, ‘recyclability’, using recycled content, cleaner production and lower emissions.
Australia can achieve a more circular, productive and low emissions future. Improvements will lift our national productivity, global competitiveness and resource efficiency. Presently, those markers lie flat like a limp piece of wet plastic, just like our limp plastics recycling rates.
Maybe get of consumers have no chose by buy plastic wrapped product because it only way it is sold.why dose shops plastic wrape fruit and vegetables andmarkthem cheaper than looseiyems
Too many big 'airy fairy' words. No 'local', implementable, and 'measurable' actions put forward. Hence ideas postulated in the article will fail. Try this - measure the number of times wheelies bin is put out for collection in 1 month then reduce it in each successive month.
Banning Plastics is stupid “Virtue Signalling” Plastics come from the ground-Put it back into the ground