The Boomerang Alliance, representing 55 environmental groups, has welcomed the NSW government's plans for further single-use plastic bans but insists more action is needed.
According to Jeff Angel, director of Boomerang Alliance, while progress is being made, issues remain, particularly with recyclable takeaway cups and food containers.
"NSW has been slow to address wasteful and polluting items, and while we support the move towards reusables, relying on recyclable takeaway containers isn't effective because there is no comprehensive collection system in place," Angel stated.
The proposed ban includes the phasing out of expanded and food tray plastics, loose-fill packaging and moulded or cut packaging by 2025, along with a long-overdue ban on releasing lighter-than-air balloons, which pose a threat to marine life. Angel noted that these changes are positive steps but emphasised the importance of a detailed reusables strategy to make a significant environmental impact.
The Boomerang Alliance is advocating for the adoption of reusable alternatives, particularly at large venues like stadiums and festivals. "Australia needs to catch up with proven alternatives used internationally," Angel said, citing examples from the European Football Championships in Germany and the Paris Olympics, where reusable cups and containers significantly reduced plastic waste.
The NSW government's plan also includes specific bans on integrated packaging from 1 January 2025. Items such as expanded polystyrene cups, plastic spoons, and straws attached to packaging will be prohibited, including those made from biodegradable or compostable plastics. Companies are encouraged to start phasing out these products and seek alternatives as soon as possible.
In conjunction with the bans, the NSW government has released its "NSW Plastics: The Way Forward" action paper, detailing steps to address problematic plastics. The paper focuses on reducing plastic litter, eliminating harmful chemicals from food packaging, and addressing microplastic pollution. The government is currently consulting with businesses, industry, and the community to gather feedback on its proposed measures, with a goal to harmonise these actions with efforts across Australia.
Minister for Environment, Penny Sharpe has highlighted the importance of NSW's role in reducing plastic pollution. "We are collaborating with other Australian states to ensure our next steps to combat plastic pollution are as effective as possible," she stated.
Sharpe also highlighted the strong public support for more robust action on plastics, noting over 4,500 survey responses and more than 450 written submissions advocating for change.
The public consultation on the action paper is open until 4 November 2024, and the government is seeking feedback on the scope, timing, and potential risks of the proposed actions to reduce plastic pollution.
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