In September 2024, the New South Wales (NSW) Environment Protection Authority (EPA) unveiled a draft consultation document titled “NSW Plastics: The Way Forward,” which aimed at addressing the urgent crisis of plastic pollution. This initiative seeks to mitigate the environmental impact of single-use and problematic plastics. Any feedback can be submitted before November 4, 2024.
Background
In the 2022-23 period, NSW generated 891,000 tonnes of plastic waste, with only 14% having been recycled. This alarming statistic underscores the pressing need for effective measures to combat plastic waste and its detrimental effects on the environment. As governments worldwide are implementing strategies to tackle this crisis, NSW has made notable progress, particularly in 2022, when it phased out the supply of unnecessary or problematic plastic items such as lightweight plastic bags; single-use plastic cutlery, bowls, plates, stirrers and straws; and plastic microbeads in some rinse-off personal care products.
Major Contents
The draft outlines several proposed actions aimed at reducing plastic litter and improving recycling efforts. Key initiatives include:
Reduction of Single-Use Plastics: By the end of 2025, NSW plans to phase out single-use plastic lollipop sticks. By the end of 2027, food service venues would be required to accept reusable cups, with trials for reusable cup programs in government settings. Additionally, recyclability would become a mandatory requirement for single-use plastic food containers and their lids. Furthermore, takeaway food service venues would be required to display anti-litter messaging prominently. Meanwhile, specific anti-litter labels and the Australasian Recycling Label would be mandated on single-use plastic items.
Cigarette Butt Initiatives: With the aim to tackle another significant litter issue of cigarette butt, NSW would collaborate with other Australian jurisdictions to implement a corresponding national strategy by the end of 2027.
Chemicals in Plastics: By the end of 2027, NSW plans to publish a “green list” of safe chemicals with their corresponding tolerable risk thresholds, along with a “red list” for harmful substances that will be phased out. In addition, NSW plans to introduce a voluntary chemical certification and labelling scheme for food packaging.
Microplastic Reduction: By the end of 2025, the use of plastics containing pro-degradant additives will be eliminated, alongside a ban on plastic microbeads in cleaning products. Additionally, new washing machines would need to demonstrate their capability to capture microfibres.
Improvement of Shopping Bag Regulations: By the end of 2025, heavyweight plastic film shopping bags would need to comply with the reuse and recycled content standards of Queensland. Plastic shopping bags would be required to be stored out of sight at the point of purchase and only provided on request, unless they are clearly designed for reuse or part of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for plastic recycling. By the end of 2027, NSW would also phase out unnecessary plastic barrier bags and implement anti-litter labels.
Small Food Packaging and Balloons: The draft proposes the phasing out of plastic pizza savers and balloon accessories by the end of 2025, alongside requiring compostable certifications for fruit and vegetable stickers by 2030.
Expanded Plastic Packaging: By the end of 2025, NSW would adopt approaches similar to Western Australia to eliminate food trays and expanded plastic packaging.
