Home / Environment / Australia's Plastic Waste Fight: New Rules Announced
Australia's Plastic Waste Fight: New Rules Announced
18 Jan
Summary
- National packaging reform targets improved recyclability and increased recycled content.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) will hold producers accountable for end-of-life packaging.
- Reforms project significant environmental gains and over A$2.5 billion economic value by 2030.
Australia is implementing comprehensive national packaging reforms to establish consistent rules, improve recyclability, and increase the use of recycled materials, thereby supporting a circular economy. These reforms, agreed upon by federal and state environment ministers, aim to strengthen packaging standards and significantly reduce waste.
The initiative introduces Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to hold producers accountable for the end-of-life management of their packaging. This policy is designed to ensure a baseline of sustainability contributions from businesses and encourage those already investing in better packaging design. This move addresses challenges where virgin plastic is cheaper than recycled alternatives, hindering domestic recycling markets.
Analysis suggests these reforms could yield substantial environmental and economic benefits by 2030. Expected outcomes include reduced CO₂ emissions, less landfill waste, significant private investment, job creation, and a considerable boost to the Australian economy, with only a minor impact on consumer prices. Industry groups have generally welcomed the move towards national consistency.
