Commonwealth Government promises a mandatory product stewardship scheme for 2025

In a historic agreement, Australia’s Environment Ministers have committed to mandatory packaging targets which, if properly designed and implemented could transform Australia's packaging landscape.

For the first time packaging producers will be required to meet set targets. Previously targets were voluntary and were never met. The Boomerang Alliance will be advocating for a scheme that ensures that new mandatory rules, making producers responsible for better design and all associated costs for the collection, transport and recovery -- including litter clean ups - are part of the new scheme.

Soft plastics now predominantly going to landfill, will need to be part of these new arrangements.

Looking beyond our shores to Europe and the UK, we know that mandatory targets are effective in speeding up industry transformation. Mandatory rules ensure a level playing field and create clear expectations. The onus will be on the businesses responsible for producing packaging to take responsibility for their waste.

But we know the devil is in the detail yet to be worked out. We expect significant industry pushback on setting strict targets and timelines.

That's why we will be putting forward a world leading stewardship model that will see Australia realise and go beyond the current voluntary packaging targets.

Importantly, we want to see a much greater focus on reducing our plastic consumption overall and national commitments to avoid all packaging that is problematic for human health and our environment. We are also advocating for the introduction of a minimum 30% reusable packaging target by 2030.

Our proposed stewardship model will be shared with allies, supporters, governments and industry stakeholders in due course.

Stay tuned on ways to support next steps.

Currently, Australia is the largest consumer of single use plastics next to Singapore. The latest figures show that only 18% of plastics are currently being recycled and only 4% of plastic packaging contains recycled content. The REDcycle collapse has highlighted the ineffectiveness of current arrangements and exposed the fact that other single use plastic packaging recovery rates are embarrassingly low and will miss agreed targets. Virtually all 450,000 tonnes of soft plastics generated in Australia each year are currently destined for landfill. It is obvious that we cannot just recycle our way out of this.

2025 National Targets. Latest data from APCO (graphic adapted to reference plastic recycled content target and plastic phase out reduction). Please note that reusability, compostability or recyclability does not mean products are recovered in practice.

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Now that all states and territories will have operating Container Refund Schemes within 12 months, we are thinking about what could happen next to further improve and expand their reach.

• Extension to other containers: wine and spirits are first cab off the rank and it was pleasing to see Qld move with a 1 Nov start date. It is inevitable that other states will follow. However, we can go further to include plain milk, health drinks, juices and cordials (glass) – and non drink containers.
• Recovery not good enough: currently the national rate of 65%, leaves 35% or billions of containers either littered, landfilled or low value in kerbside bins. Serious examination of greater incentives such a raising the refund to 20c should be undertaken, especially as inflation reduces the value of the present 10c.
• Keeping a close eye on Vic rollout: Victoria decided to have three Network Operators to run refund points – a result many question for its rationality However, the state government’s start date of 1 November 2023 is highly anticipated – Victorians have waited long enough!

Also check out Total Environment Centre's review of Australia’s Container Refund Schemes

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We've been pushing our Reuse and Avoid agenda forward and have some exciting news for those who look forward to a single-use free future.

Starting in Sydney in late July, we will be running an EPA funded program to find 100 food retailers who want to be part of a NSW case study to increase reusable options. We’ll be working with these businesses closely to supercharge their practice of reusables, document their journey, and showcase their achievements. These businesses will be at the forefront of change, helping to shape future directions in NSW.

100 is just the start! So keep your eye out on our promotions and encourage your local changemaking businesses to join us in this in this important project.

In September, we're commencing a new workplace reusables program in the Brisbane offices of the Qld Department of Environment and Science (DES). The aim of this program is to introduce a reusable system for office staff that connects with the local cafés staff most frequent, and then, using behaviour change principals, work with staff to adopt reusable options. The great part is that DES produces the single-use plastic legislation, so they'll be learning the benefits of reusables and leading by example.

As part of this program, we’ll be developing resources and guides to help other offices and make them widely available. We'll also start introducing this program into our other programs in 2024.

We're also looking at how we can help more cafes achieve the benefits of reusables, so we’re going to be creating a series of ‘how-to’ guides on topics businesses are asking us for - particularly around the practical implementation of reusables within their cafes, and how they can eliminate single-use and not lose customers. We’ll be taking some of our leading members as examples for other businesses to follow. We’ll learn about and address some of the real barriers that businesses face, and encouraging them to forward.

We look forward to updating you on progress in the next newsletter! And keep your eye on our website and socials to stay up to date.

Remember, as a consumer, the best thing you can do to help is support businesses trying to do the right thing. Businesses often tell us they feel their efforts are not noticed or supported by their customers. Bring your reusables and let the businesses know you appreciate what they are doing. Not only can your action reduce waste and costs for your fave café, but your words keep them going. We can all make a difference!

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In a historic agreement, Australia’s Environment Ministers have committed to introducing mandatory packaging waste recovery targets, which could transform Australia’s packaging landscape. Reducing and recycling plastic packaging will no longer be a matter of voluntary or co-regulatory action.

Environment groups today hailed the decision by Australia's environment ministers to regulate how packaging is used and produced as the first substantial and meaningful step to turn the corner after 20 years of failed voluntary programs, pollution and waste.

As another World Environment Day occurs, Australia faces crucial decisions on how to stop plastic waste killing wildlife and harming human health.

Plastic Waste Makers Index (PWMI) 2023 shows the planet’s plastic pollution problem is worsening, and new estimates of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from single-use plastics demonstrate how single-use plastics producers also contribute to the climate crisis.

The Total Environment Centre is releasing the first review of all of Australia’s drink bottle and can 10c refund laws which assesses the performance of each state and territory and examines future challenges. Read the full report.

In an unsurprising but nevertheless disturbing revelation, the Australian Packaging Covenant (APCO) has admitted today the national 2025 recycling and recycled content targets won’t be met. The blame squarely falls on the packaging sector which lacked commitment and investment under the 20 years of voluntary arrangements.

The inclusion of glass wine and spirit bottles in Queensland’s container refund scheme is a significant move on glass recycling that should be mirrored by other states asap.

The announcement today of the Coordinator and Network Operators (NOs) for Victoria's Container Refund Scheme, marks the end of a very long effort spanning several decades, by community groups who had to battle big drink companies opposed to the introduction of modern drink bottle and can recycling. There are however, challenges ahead that will require close attention by the government.

With the new government sworn in NSW, we will be seeking quick action on the ALP's promises.  These follow:

1. NSW Labor supports a nationally consistent approach to tackling plastic pollution and supports the Federal Government’s recent move to join the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution. We will:

• Review the NSW Plastics Action Plan to see where the removal of single use items can be accelerated.
  
  
• Support circular economy actions for plastics in which plastic products are either reused, recycled, or remanufactured when no longer useful or required for their initial purposes.

There has been action to reduce single-use plastic items entering the waste streams of NSW following bans and the Plastics Action Plan. There is more work to be done especially given the growth of thicker shopping bags to seriously reduce plastics as well as stop the scourge of disposable coffee cups. Labor will review the Plastics Action Plan to see where the removal of single use plastic items can be accelerated.

2. NSW Labor supports:

• strong packaging targets to increase recycling and ensure that there are recycled content goals and markets for recycled products. Labor supports, where possible, a nationally consistent approach and supports the Commonwealth’s product stewardship priority list and will seek greater ambition in this area.
  
  
• the expansion of the NSW container deposit scheme to include other containers with appropriate periods of consultation and transition timeframes to be determined in collaboration with effected industries, environment groups, and the broader community.
  
  
• a transition to a circular economy for our waste, with zero incineration and landfill.
  
  
• government action to incorporate more recycled products into government procurement processes and will examine any opportunities in government including mandating some content after appropriate consultation.

3. Labor does not support waste to energy where there are available alternatives that are economically sustainable, economically practicable and supported by the local community.

Energy from waste may be an appropriate resource recovery option only when there are no other options further up the waste recovery hierarchy that will provide better environmental outcomes. Any proposed facilities must conform to world’s best practice and must operate to the highest environmental standards. More needs to be done in the first place to avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle waste before it gets sent to landfill and incinerators.

Back to March 2023 Newsletter page >>

2023 is the year, Australia will be fully covered by container refund schemes (CRS) resulting in billions of drink containers being recycled every year. Even Coca Cola, which vehemently opposed a CRS is now championing their involvement.

Victoria and Tasmania will be announcing their Network Operators soon and they will then get to work rolling out refund points. What’s next? you may ask.

We are now focussed on expanding the types of containers, that the CRS covers. First off are wine and spirits and larger drink containers up to 3L. Each state and territory are currently consulting on the change which will add several billion containers for recycling. A decision is expected this year. We were pleased to receive the support of the incoming NSW government and if a national harmonised approach is taking too long, Boomerang is encouraging one or more states to act unilaterally.

Another improvement that could eventuate is to expand the CRS to non-beverage containers. Interestingly the Australian Beverages Council is investigating this. Such a move would help Australia go some way to reach its national packaging target of 70% recycling by 2025. Currently plastic recycling sits at a low 16%.

Next cab off the rank is to review the current 10c refund. It is low by international standards and over time will lose its incentive impact due to inflation. This will lead to a reduction in returns, as occurred in South Australia when the refund was 5c. The proposal to increase it to 10c was opposed by the beverage companies. We anticipate the same will occur with a proposal to increase it to 20c and are planning our next moves.

Ideally Australia should have a 90+% return rate.

Back to March 2023 Newsletter page >>

Plastic bans have been rolling out across Australia in the last few years, something that seemed far away when we started our program in early 2018.

Since that time, we have expanded across all states and territories, and PFP has now helped food retail businesses eliminate over 20 MILLION pieces of single-use plastic!

We've been asked the question - is our program needed as bans come in? Won’t bans solve the problem of plastic packaging?

Unfortunately, this is not the case.

We'd actually love to see the day when we're not needed to help businesses navigate the challenging space of alterative packaging. But with the introduction of plastic bans in most states (and expanding), we've been dealing with a rise in false packaging claims and greenwashing as manufacturers attempt to market their products in a changing market.

This has led to even more confusion for businesses.

It's so common to hear that they tried to do their own research and choose the best options - but despite this - the vast majority of businesses who join our program are still using products that contain plastic, and often they do not realise this until we point it out.

Greenwashing is now so prevalent that we've had to employ our very own Research Officer whose sole job it is to keep our team up to date on new products and their certifications.

That's why our program is so valuable to our members, and to the local, state and federal governments who fund PFP. While we’re putting a spotlight on the problems with the packaging industry, we're also pushing forward with the fundamental change that has always been important to us...REUSABLES!

We believe Reuse and Avoid is the only way forward with packaging, and that’s why we’ve been developing some great new programs that utilise behaviour change principles to focus on building better reusable habits and foster long-term change and cultural shifts.

This includes expanding our flagship Reusable Cafes program. With over 30 cafes now having participated in the month long behaviour change program - all of them saw a marked increase in the use of reusables, ranging from a 10% increase to a huge 186% increase!

What we're demonstrating is that when reusable behaviour is normalised, many people are open to changing their behaviour. In the case of Reusable Cafes, the increase in reusables is directly linked to customers responding to the cafe encouraging it and normalising the behaviour in that environment.

We're now taking this work and applying it to new programs we're developing with hotels and offices (workplaces). This is currently being trialled in some of our communities.

It's an exciting time for our program, and we'll keep you updated on the progress as we move through 2023.

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The problem with the 'Choose to Reuse' call is that while it is important that we all take action on reusables, we are not going to change general population habits simply through a focus on ad hoc action. What is needed are the systems that create behaviour change. In the 1980's household could take their papers, bottles and cans to a local depot for recycling. An estimated 5% of households did this. When local councils introduced a kerbside collection service, firstly with a small crate and then a wheelie bin, an estimated 70-80% of households started to recycle.

We want to make reusables mainstream. Rather than working on all things reusable, our focus is on the most obvious items first. As we reported in our last December 2022 newsletter the Boomerang Alliance and our allies published two papers in 2022 to promote reusable shopping bag standards and reusable coffee cups. We now are adding a third focus - to ban the use of disposable foodware for dine-in at cafes and food outlets.

The system we are promoting for reusable shopping bags will mean that only reusable shopping bags that have passed a standards test will be available to consumers. Since we published our paper, a growing number of governments are turning their attention to getting rid of heavyweight plastic bags. Western Australia has already acted, Queensland are planning to do so in September this year and we expect similar actions from South Australia, the ACT and NT in 2024.

We are including the heavyweight plastic bags that many retailers sell for 15-25 cents and the dodgy plastic bags that are only slightly thicker than the lightweight ban of 35mcrns. We want these phased-out. Woolworths have already announced they will ban their heavyweight plastic bags, with 'reusable' bags or paper bags provided instead. Paper bags are not the answer but are preferable for one-off purchases. This leaves 'reusable' plastic bags. Our proposed standard, developed with the National Retailers Association, is based on an international standard that requires a bag to be designed for at least 125 shopping cycles, with a maximum weight capacity and minimum thickness and recycled content. This will mean that customers will be getting the genuine article, not pretend 'reusable' bags that are just a bit thicker than other plastic bags.

Disposable coffee cups and lids are the next big items for attention. Most of these products, when used in public places end up in landfill or as litter. And we use an estimated 1.8 billion of them every year in Australia. How do we make the move?

The Boomerang Alliance has proposed a staged approach. This would start with a ban on plastic-lined cups and lids in 2024. These are just a waste and litter problem and rarely get recovered. As a transition certified compostable cups and lids (including commercially compostable) would be allowed until 2026. This is because there are no disposable non-plastic cups acceptable to the market as yet. When they are, the exemption for commercially compostable cups can be removed. Finally we would like all disposable cups and lids phased out after 2030.

The ban on disposable cups is a big ask. It could be achieved if reusable cups are more commonplace. To help do this, our strategy calls for regulations that require all cafes and takeaway food outlets to offer or sell reusable cups and lids, as well as their disposable ones. This is already happening in Germany. In addition a levy would be imposed on all disposable cups. We think the combination of access to reusable cups and a levy on disposable cups will change habits.

To date most governments have been supportive of reusables and BYO coffee cups, but have done little to mainstream the behaviour. This is now changing. The WA, SA, NSW and QLD Governments have asked the Boomerang Alliance, through our Plastic Free Places program, to develop practical case studies for reusable cups and lids. We have begun this task.

One of the big gripes many of you told us, is disposable packaging at dine-in cafes. We recently took this shot in Melbourne outside of a Starbucks. Whilst Starbucks promotes and sells reusable cups and mugs, it doesn't seem to practice what it preaches. When ordering we asked for reusable cups but still got disposables. This is a common experience. The French recently introduced a ban and many other European countries will do the same.

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Since 2021, the Boomerang Alliance has been monitoring state and territory actions on phasing out unnecessary and problematic plastic items. The National Waste Plan target is to eliminate all of these items by 2025. Things are progressing as each state passes legislation but this should be happening with more urgency as some states are slow to act. It would also be helpful to see more harmonisation between jurisdictions with adoption of a schedule when these phase-outs are planned.

Since our last update (Newsletter December 2022), Victoria has finally begun to catch up with other mainland states with certain plastic items such as plastic utensils, EPS cups and foodware.

On 1 February 2023, South Australia announced its future strategy for 2024 including for heavyweight and barrier bags, more EPS items, plastic cups and confetti. Queensland is moving also to ban the release of lighter than air balloons and adopt a standard for what is a reusable plastic bag (we are proposing a strict standard). WA and SA are the best performers so far with over 20 items so far banned or on the chopping block. The Northern Territory has instigated public consultation for its phase-out plans.

In the table below we have identified current phase-out plans and actions by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments. We have added any future plans, where these have been publicly announced.

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For over 20 years the packaging industry have been telling us they will reduce plastic packaging waste and increase recycling. They made these promises in 1999 when the Australian Packaging Covenant was established. In the year 2000 the plastic packaging recycling rate in Australia was 20%. In more recent times with an increased awareness on packaging the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) stepped up its efforts and agreed to meet new national targets on plastic and other packaging. These targets included - 100% of plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable; 70% of plastic packaging recycled or composted; and 20% of plastic packaging using recycled content. This was to be achieved by 2025.

Well you guessed it. APCO have now admitted they won't meet these targets. Indeed they will get nowhere near them.

In a circular economy, the measure should really be 100% reused, recycled or composted. With the collapse of REDCycle the current low rate will be going backwards. The 39% recycled content figure looks encouraging - but that average includes paper and cardboard. However, the subsidiary target for plastics is 20% by 2025, and the actual recycled content of plastic packaging stands at an embarrassing 3-4%.

There is an effective solution to this. That is, to take these existing targets and regulate a mandatory Product Stewardship Scheme on Packaging. Enough of the voluntary programs used to greenwash the reputation of packaging producers and retailers. Make producers of packaging responsible for their products and the waste they generate. In Europe from 2024, manufacturers will be responsible for the costs of collection, transport, treatment and clean up of many single use plastics. Imagine the impact this will have when producers have to deliver, rather than pass the responsibility onto business and households, councils and the waste industry.

In 2020 the Commonwealth Parliament failed by one vote to pass a bill that would have made the product stewardship scheme mandatory. The ALP in opposition, at the time, voted in the Senate for a mandatory scheme. Now they are in government, it's time for that positive change.

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