Find out about plastics

Plastic bottles on production line

Phase out of problematic and single use plastics

Reducing waste overall is important, but particular resources and materials deserve extra attention, including plastics and packaging.

Plastic litter is one of the most insidious forms of pollution. Around 80% of marine litter is plastic. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight. We need to act now to identify and stop using the plastics that we can’t manage effectively. Read about problematic and single use plastics phase outs [link to phase out page]

Packaging

The Australian Government partners with other jurisdictions and industries to reduce the environmental impacts of packaging through the Australian Packaging Covenant. The Covenant requires companies to come up with ways to design more recyclable, compostable or reusable packaging.

• Australian Packaging Covenant

Plastic microbeads

Microbeads are small, solid, manufactured plastic particles that are less than 5mm and don’t degrade or dissolve in water.

• Plastic microbeads

Marine debris including plastic pollution

Marine debris (or marine litter) is defined as any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material that is discarded, disposed of or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment (UN Environment Program, 2009).

• Marine debris including plastic pollution

Pacific Ocean Litter Project

Australia is investing $16 million (2019-2027) in the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) to help reduce the impacts of plastic pollution in the coastal environments of the Pacific.

• Pacific Ocean Litter Project

Plastic bags

Most state and territory governments have banned single-use lightweight plastic bags. States' actions on plastic bags are being supported by Australia's major supermarkets, which no longer offer single-use plastic bags.

Container deposit schemes

States and territories are implementing container deposit schemes to address bottle waste and litter issues. By giving people money if they return containers to be recycled, these schemes help to increase recycling rates and keep plastic out of the environment and landfill.