The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water today concluded its inquiry into plastic pollution in Australia’s oceans and waterways, tabling 22 recommendations in its final report.
The inquiry investigated the threat posed by plastic pollution to Australia’s oceans and waterways, and examined Australia’s current approach, revealing areas of inadequate policy and management.
“One of the major findings is that Australia’s current National Plastics Plan is a disjointed compilation of goals, disappointingly some of which were already completed prior to the plan being developed and others that were not completed by their expected deadline,” the chair’s foreword of the report read.
“Australia needs an updated National Plastics Plan, developed in consultation with state and territory governments, industry and the community, and coordinated nationally to prioritise industry accountability.
“Responsibility for plastics must be shifted back onto plastics manufacturers.”
22 recommendations
The report offered a total of 22 recommendations for the parliament’s consideration, ranging from an updated National Plastics Plan, to creating a sustainable circular economy for recovered plastic and plastic waste and building out coordinated recycling and processing hubs and methodologies across the country.
“The plan should be nationally coordinated and increase industry accountability to reduce the amount of plastics ending up in landfill,” committee chair Tony Zappia MP said.
“Many Australians want to recycle correctly but inconsistencies among states and territories have led consumers to believe that certain items are recyclable or compostable when they are not.
“The committee recommends nationally harmonising the single-use plastic bans, waste collection standards and the Container Deposit Scheme.
“Packaging and recycling labelling need to be standardised and simplified to reduce confusion and help consumers recycle the right containers," Zappia said.
‘We also need to better understand the potential risks and effects of microplastic pollution on human health.
“The committee has recommended investment in research and the development of a microplastic reduction strategy to limit microplastic pollution in our marine environments."
Recent studies have revealed microplastics have invaded even human bodies, including in the bloodstream, placentas and breast milk – humans are on the whole widely contaminated with plastic, with unknown consequences for health.
Studies are linking microplastics to serious health problems, including increased risk of heart disease, Australia’s number one cause of death with more than 18,000 recorded deaths in 2022.