The welcome announcement that the Commonwealth Government will sign onto the high ambition targets of the Global Plastics Treaty should also accelerate high ambition at home, the Boomerang Alliance of 56 NGOs said today.
"Nations that sign onto the Treaty will of course be required to take action domestically and Australia is well set to do that by activating the stalled mandatory packaging stewardship scheme; continuing to ban problematic single use items; embracing reuse; and implementing a national microplastic reduction strategy."
The high ambition goals include restraining the consumption and production of problem plastics and enabling a circular economy for plastics so that these products are reused, recycled and returned for remanufacture.
"After 25 years of failed industry and government promises to solve our packaging and plastic waste problems, it's time for the Albanese Government to finally act."
The Boomerang Alliance is calling for action in this first session of Parliament. These measures need to be in place by 2026.
- a mandatory national Product Stewardship Scheme for Packaging that applies targets and producer responsibility for products across their life cycle.
- Drive more ambitious State and Territory policies problematic single-use plastic policies, improve container refund schemes and introduce more reusable foodware.
- The fast-tracking of an industry-funded product stewardship scheme for the collection and recovery of soft plastics.
- Development of a microplastics reduction plan as recommended by the Commonwealth parliamentary inquiry.
Further information: info@boomerangalliance.org.au
