With Australians right around the country participating in litter clean ups as part of the forthcoming World Clean Up Day this year (20 September), the decision by the Albanese government to walk away from promised packaging recycling reforms means communities are still expected to continue to clean up.

Many of these Clean Up events are being supported or arranged by Clean Up Australia, Take 3 and Beach Patrol Australia.

Beach and environment clean ups are vital activities supported by community volunteers and staff from many businesses. They remove the eyesore of litter and, most importantly, collect litter and plastics that would otherwise pollute the environment and harm wildlife.

The FY25 Clean Up Australia Litter Report found that food and non-food packaging and containers represent 59.5% of all reported litter.

Clean Up Australia FY25 Litter Report (Fact Sheet)

Soft plastics remain a significant problem, representing 30.5% of all reported litter.

On 18 September, the country’s environment ministers will be meeting to decide on what actions they plan to take to solve packaging problems. We are calling on the Federal Government to act or the States and Territories to act if they won’t.

We are urging all political parties and independents to support these crucial and necessary reforms.

Quotes

‘Making producers responsible for the packaging they place on the market is the most effective way to reduce litter and plastic pollution.’ – Jeff Angel, Director, Boomerang Alliance

‘The container refund schemes now operating around the country show that container litter rates can be slashed and recycling increased.’ – Pip Kiernan, Chair, Clean Up Australia

‘These figures are a stark reminder that Australia’s reliance on voluntary agreements for packaging has failed to reduce plastic and packaging waste, which often ends up in our precious environment.’ – Tim Silverwood, CEO Take 3

‘This kind of delay is how we got into this mess. Australia cannot aYord another term of government waiting for meaningful packaging reform while plastic pollution continues to grow.’

‘Industry, recyclers, states, environmental groups and communities are ready for national packaging reform. The Government needs to read the room, show leadership and act.’

‘Recyclers are struggling, industry wants certainty, states are threatening to go it alone, environmental groups are demanding action and health concerns about plastic contamination are mounting. What more will it take for the government to act?’ – Ross Headifen, President, Beach Patrol Australia

‘Plastic bottle lids are a highly littered item. Keeping them on the bottle would easily solve this problem.’

‘Our container refund schemes or producer responsible packaging laws should make tethered tops mandatory.’

Australians are genuinely worried about the impact of plastic on the environment and on human health. With Kal Glanznig’s feature documentary, A Plastic Country being released on YouTube on 13th September, and a feature on 60 Minutes (Channel 9), the government can expect a growing chorus of voices demanding immediate action.