This World Environment Day, as nations across the globe commit to ending plastic pollution, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is delivering bold action and real solutions.
Tackling plastic pollution and transforming how plastic waste is managed is a key priority for the NSW EPA as the state drives towards a circular economy.
Sixty per cent of all littered items in New South Wales are made of plastic, and plastic accounts for 80 per cent of litter in the state’s estuaries and marine environments.
In the past financial year, the NSW EPA delivered more than $12 million to help combat plastic pollution and waste, from investing in major infrastructure, funding research and supporting government, businesses and communities to create solutions for managing plastic waste.
This includes $5.8 million in litter prevention grants helping industry, councils, businesses and community groups deliver 35 projects, $5 million for soft plastics recycling infrastructure, boosting the state’s ability to process and recycle these challenging materials, and $1.25 million to fund research that will identify innovative ways to help reduce problems in the plastic industry.
Tony Chappel, NSW EPA Chief Executive Officer, said it was important to continue to take decisive steps to phase out problematic plastic items, promote reusable alternatives, and align New South Wales with other states.
“While the phase-out of certain single-use plastics in New South Wales has resulted in a 77 per cent reduction in the number of banned single-use plastic items found in litter there is more work to be done,” Chappel said.
“In 2022-23 New South Wales generated around 891,000 tonnes of plastic waste, with only 14 per cent of that being recycled.
“Future measures could include phasing out plastic lollipop sticks, barrier bags, and foamed plastic packaging, requiring venues to accept reusable cups, and ensuring single-use plastics are recyclable.”
Community and industry feedback on proposals to tackle plastic pollution is currently being reviewed as part of the NSW Plastics: The Way Forward action plan.
The NSW EPA, in partnership with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), is also leading the state’s first-ever broadscale microplastic assessment.
By sampling 120 waterways across the state, this groundbreaking project will pinpoint the most affected areas, identify the sources of microplastic pollution, and guide targeted action to reduce it.
Chappel said plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time and we must be bold in our actions to create a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment free from the harms of plastic pollution.
“We’re leading the way-through regulation, enforcement, and major investment-to turn the tide on plastic waste and build a more sustainable future for New South Wales. Together, with industry, communities, and government, we’re creating a cleaner, greener state for generations to come.”
Tackling plastic pollution is part of a broader push to protect the environment, drive a safe circular economy, and support sustainable industry practices.
Other key achievements delivered by the NSW EPA from the past financial year include rolling out the $81 million FOGO Fund, supporting councils to introduce food and garden organics collection services and reduce waste to landfill and $19 million awarded in grants, helping deliver more than 160 projects across the state.
Eighty-five organisations have been supported in the past year, driving New South Wales towards a circular economy and diverting about 8000 tonnes of waste from landfill.
For more information, visit: www.epa.nsw.gov.au
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