Plastic Pollution and Litter Reduction Policies (Queensland)
‘95% of plastic packaging is used once and then thrown away.’
New Plastic Economy-Ellen Macarthur Foundation/World Economic Forum Report 2016
In the next term of Parliament, we seek a new agenda on plastic reduction that builds on the good work achieved so far through the plastic bag ban and the Container Refund Scheme.
Boomerang Alliance supports the introduction of a Waste levy on all mixed wastes going to landfill in QLD, with any revenue hypothecated to resource recovery.
1. Maintain the introduction of a ban on lightweight plastic bags (including biodegradables) and a Container Refund Scheme in July 2018.
2. Expand the plastic bag ban to include the mass release of helium balloons and include plastic bags up to 70 microns.
3. Develop a Plastic Pollution Reduction Strategy for Queensland to follow up on the introduction of a Container Refund Scheme and plastic bag ban.
4. Provide support to communities actively seeking to reduce their single- use plastic packaging and introduce an educational program to promote the switch to reusable alternatives.
5. Introduce an immediate ban on polystyrene takeaway containers and food ware.
6. Set a program for the future phase-out of single use, non-biodegradable takeaway items by 2020 (coffee cups/lids, straws, takeaway containers, food ware and water bottles) in Queensland.
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Priority plastic waste streams and practices for investigation in the Plastic Pollution Reduction Strategy should include:
- Soft plastics and film (with focus on retail/manufacturer practices)
- Agricultural/industrial use of single use, disposable plastic packaging and sheeting
- Plastic fishing lines/nets and bait bags
- Away from home plastic /composite items-coffee cups/lids, straws, food ware and takeaway containers
Authorised by Jeff Angel, Director, Boomerang Alliance, 99 Devonshire St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
