Australia’s Environment Ministers have delayed concrete action on fixing Australia’s  packaging, recycling and plastic pollution crisis.  

“Despite agreeing that packaging reform remains an urgent and important environmental priority, the Communique released after the meeting seems designed to avoid clarity and  will maximise confusion. While it appears to reject the federal government’s do nothing  approach – it’s difficult to ascertain what will happen with more reports at the next  meeting, some months away. This flies in the face of the call by packagers, recyclers and  environment groups for regulatory certainty,” said Jeff Angel, Director of the Alliance of 56 NGOs. 

“We believe the Albanese government is the key blocker as it holds the power to implement national action.”  

“Without meaningful action, valuable resources will continue to be thrown away; recyclers  remain under threat of closure; consumers exposed to harmful chemicals in packaging; and  households paying for landfill disposal – instead of Australia having a sustainable, circular  economy.” 

The Boomerang Alliance is calling for: 

• A producer responsible scheme for packaging , with mandatory targets for collection,  recycling, recycled content and reuse 

• New rules to eliminate harmful chemicals from packaging 

• An immediate producer-funded collection service for soft plastics 

Further information: Jeff Angel info@boomerangalliance.org.au