Plastic pollution reduction

Plastic products have become part of our everyday lives due to their usefulness and convenience. However, with increases in population and consumption, the reliance on plastic has grown significantly, particularly in the convenience and single-use area.

Plastic pollution is a growing problem and when it ends up in the wrong place, it can negatively impact our communities, our environment and our wildlife.

The Queensland Government is taking action to reduce the impact of plastic pollution through key initiatives including:

• a ban on the supply of single-use, lightweight plastic shopping bags from 1 July 2018
• the introduction of a container refund scheme from 1 November 2018
• the development of a Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan.

Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan

As part of Queensland’s broader waste strategy, a Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan is being developed to identify how government, business and the community can work together to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution.

The plan will identify actions to:

• influence responsible consumption and disposal behaviours
• encourage redesign and innovation
• stimulate and develop markets.

Sources of plastic pollution

The plan will focus on five key sources of plastic pollution:

• Away from home
• At home
• Marine
• Agriculture
• Industrial and commercial.

These key sources have been identified in collaboration with representatives from a number of groups including business, agriculture, environment, waterway catchment management, local government, plastics industry, science and research, state government and waste management.

How you can get involved

Everyone has a role to play in reducing the impacts of plastic pollution by taking everyday actions to reduce, reuse, recycle and refuse single-use plastic items.

Be a responsible consumer by learning about the:

• impact of single-use plastic items such as takeaway containers and straws
• ways that you can reduce your consumption of single-use plastics
• recycling programs available across your local community.

Get involved in a local community initiative such as a beach clean up or a citizen science project.

Start to take action to reduce consumption of avoidable and single-use plastics. Read the Guide to reduce consumption of avoidable and single-use plastics developed to help individuals and businesses make the change.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news about waste and resource recovery news, subscribe to WASTENOTes newsletter.