Our Year in Action
As we wrap up another transformative year, we want to take a moment to share our journey with you. Together, we've fought hard against plastic pollution, rallied for stronger policies, and built a movement that brings us closer to a cleaner, more sustainable future. None of this would have been possible without the support and dedication of our incredible community.
So let’s take a look at what we’ve achieved with your help:
Over the next year, we have a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change in Australia’s packaging laws—but we need your voice to make it happen. Help us create change today.
Our supermarkets audit reveals supermarkets slow on changing plastic habits
The Boomerang Alliance and the Australian Marine Conservation Society audit the major supermarkets' plastic packaging use each year. Our audit is helped by thousands of supporters who act as secret shoppers checking what is happening in their local supermarkets. We use their data in our report.
Our 2024 Supermarket Report has just been released, please see here. The report reveals that, whilst there have been some improvements, our supermarkets are still very slow to change their plastic habits. Plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetables are still cheaper than loose produce 73% of the time. There are too few options for customers to access reusable containers, and there is too much emphasis on recycling of packaging rather than reducing or avoiding it.
We ranked the major supermarkets with Woolworths coming out on top with a ranking of 38%. From our point of view, all supermarkets should be doing a whole lot better and don't compare with the best supermarkets in Europe. As reported above, recycling labels continue to be a problem and often mislead consumers.
Commonwealth has released its Packaging Reform Paper
The Commonwealth Government has just released its long-awaited proposed Packaging Reform Discussion paper. They recognise that the voluntary arrangements in place for over 25 years have failed. We are nowhere near meeting any recycling or recovery targets.
The government package proposes three options:
- A continuation of the current (co-regulatory) voluntary arrangements (albeit with strengthened arrangements),
- mandating requirements that include bans on problem packaging and
- an EPR (product stewardship) scheme where producers will be responsible for meeting packaging targets
- The Boomerang Alliance supports option 3- Extended producer responsibility. This needs to include mandatory targets for packaging reduction, reuse as well as recycling. This approach should be augmented with bans on problematic packaging and standards that ensure all packaging is recovered in practice.
An example of EPR is the container refund scheme, where the beverage industry is responsible for the collection and recycling of cans and bottles. South Australia has had a scheme for over 40 years but for the rest of Australia, the CRS has tripled recycling and slashed can and bottle litter.
The big omission in the Commonwealth paper is a lack of immediate proposals on soft plastics. Since the collapse of the REDcycle scheme -two years ago-virtually all soft plastics have gone to waste or are being littered. According to CUA Rubbish Report 2023, soft plastics are now the most littered category of plastics in Australia and represent over 34% of all litter collected.
The Boomerang Alliance is calling for an industry-funded product stewardship scheme for soft plastics to be fast-tracked now. This scheme should include both kerbside and in-store soft plastics collection, with a return for recycling.
Thousands of households have been stockpiling their plastics for the last two years and we are calling on the major supermarkets to organise in-store collections now for their customers to return soft plastics that can go straight to recycling.
Tasmania to Phase Out Problem Plastics
The Boomerang Alliance has welcomed proposals by the Tasmanian Government to phase out a range of problem single-use plastics. This means that every State and Territory in Australia has introduced or proposes to introduce bans on problem takeaway plastics.
We are particularly pleased that the Tasmanian Government is proposing to phase out plastic takeaway coffee cups and food containers. It's time that these disposable cups and containers were phased out, with new policies to support reusable alternatives brought in.
Our Choose to Reuse Report identifies strategies on how reusables could be introduced. The first and most obvious option is to switch to reusable cups and containers at major sports and public events. The recent Paris Olympics served takeaway drinks and food to spectators in reusable cups and containers, something that should be replicated here.
And thinking ahead, wouldn't it be great, when the Tasmanian Devils enter the AFL competition in 2028, to have drinks and food served in reusables at all stadiums from game one?
Read our submission here.
What's happening with plastic pollution in Port Phillip Bay?
Environmental groups have called for a sustainable solution focused on source control and interception, after the switch from raking Mornington Peninsula beaches to manual hand cleaning has exposed the true extent of plastic pollution problems in the Bay (pics below).
Many local residents are reporting that they have never seen so much plastic debris before. This pollution is not just an eyesore, it’s also threatening sea life. And who would want to visit or holiday anywhere with beaches in this state?
‘There is too much plastic waste ending up in the Bay. Our volunteers are picking up so much. It’s mostly single use items that are not necessary. We (consumers, government and industry) need to be a lot more responsible,’ said Dr Ross Headifen, Co-Founder of Beach Patrol Australia.
‘It's time for the authorities to address the sources of this plastic debris. ‘
‘Much of this debris is coming from stormwater and runoff from urban rivers, particularly the Yarra. The first thing we need is renewed investment in pollution trap infrastructure to stop plastic waste getting into the Bay.’
Birte Moliere, Boomerang Alliance Packaging Product Stewardship Lead said: ‘The second thing that is needed are effective policies to curb the amount of plastic waste we produce in the first place. The Boomerang Alliance is calling for new packaging laws that make producers responsible for managing their packaging, including their collection and recovery with mandatory reduction, recycling, recycled content and reuse targets.’
‘When packaging producers have to pay the costs of collection and recovery, we will get less plastic packaging and the packaging we do use will be more efficiently collected and recovered.’
‘The container refund schemes now active in most states are a good example of producers, in this case beverage companies, being responsible for collecting and recycling discarded cans and bottles. We are already noticing much less cans and bottles on our beaches.’
This week European countries introduced laws to require all bottles to have tethered caps. Beach Patrol report that they collect hundreds of bottle tops on Port Phillip Bay beaches every week. The NSW Government is proposing having tethered caps on bottles by 2030 - a move the Victorian Government could fast track for an earlier date.
NSW Plastic Plan
A new plan by the NSW government for more single-use plastic bans, catching up with other states has been released with some welcome actions, but will need improvement in other areas, the Boomerang Alliance believes.
NSW has been slow on these wasteful and polluting items and we also endorse the push towards reusables which are much better on climate grounds and do not cause litter. However, there are serious problems with the proposal to rely on takeaway cups and food containers being ‘’recyclable’’, as this just doesn’t happen because there is no comprehensive collection system. The ban on the release of lighter-than-air balloons has been a long time coming and we look forward to the disappearance of them in the oceans and harming marine life. Phasing out (by 2025) expanded and foam plastic food trays, loose-fill packaging, and moulded or cut packaging will also make a difference.
Submissions are due by 4 November 2024 - have your say here. We'll be doing a detailed response and sharing key points with our allies and supporters.
Plastic Ban Solution Finder will help thousands of businesses.
The Boomerang Alliance is proud to announce the launch of the Plastic Ban Solution Finder, a groundbreaking website designed to support hospitality businesses in Australia in navigating state plastic ban regulations. As the most comprehensive resource of its kind in the country, the website aims to prevent businesses from being misled by false claims, ensuring they can confidently choose the right packaging alternatives.
This new tool offers a wide range of packaging options tailored to help hospitality venues comply with their state's regulations, better protect the environment, and enhance their reputation. Initially, the website covers Western Australia and South Australia, with plans to expand to other states soon.
Kellie Lindsay, Plastic Free Places Manager for Boomerang Alliance, shared her insights on the initiative: “As part of our national Plastic Free Places program, we have worked with thousands of hospitality businesses to eliminate over 30 million single-use plastic items. Unfortunately, many businesses have been misled into buying packaging that falsely claims to be plastic-free or compliant with bans. This is very frustrating and often expensive for businesses trying to do the right thing.”
In response to these challenges, the Boomerang Alliance developed the Plastic Ban Solution Finder to provide a simple and comprehensive solution. The website offers clear, up-to-date information and independently assesses every packaging product to confirm compliance with bans. This process includes cross-referencing with certification bodies, checking product compositions, and verifying claims, ensuring businesses can make informed decisions and avoid greenwashing.
In addition to compliance information, the site also features a range of guides to help businesses reduce single-use packaging, save money, and minimise waste.
The development of the Plastic Ban Solution Finder has been made possible through funding support from the Western Australian and South Australian state governments. We are excited to make this resource available to businesses in these states and look forward to expanding its reach across Australia in the near future.
Explore the Plastic Ban Solution Finder today and take the next step towards a more sustainable future for your business and the environment.
Visit the website here
Australian Recycling Label is being Changed-Thanks to Boomerang Alliance Supporters
A big thank you to many of you for raising concerns about the misleading information on the Australian Recycling label (ARL). This is the label usually found on packaged products, in particular plastic wrapping of fresh fruit and vegetables.
For the past two years, since the REDCycle collapse, supermarkets have kept the Return to Store marking on the ARL, even though there was no in-store collection. In April, at the behest of many of you, we formally complained to the Federal Government, the ACCC and the packaging industry about this misleading label.
We are pleased to let you know that producers and suppliers have now been directed to remove this marking from the ARL. So, if you see it in your local supermarket, please take a photo and send us the details.
We have now followed up with a complaint about the Check Locally marking some soft plastic wrapping is now using. This marking is inferring there are recyclers who can recycle soft plastics in your area. However, the website the Check Locally marking directs us to, states, 'Please note that the majority of soft plastics searches will currently recommend landfill for your packaging!
We have sought the removal of this marking until in-store or curbside collection services are available around the country.
We note that the ARL was originally introduced to provide consumers with accurate and useful information about their recycling options. Perhaps producers and suppliers should remember that intention.
Global Plastic Treaty an Update
The most recent negotiation session for a global marine plastic treaty (Ottawa, Canada 23-29 April 2024) was frustrating and disappointing for many delegates hoping for more progress on an international agreement. That lack of progress stems from the major plastics industries, and a bloc of nations opposing common global rules.
Kate Noble from WWF who attended the meeting has told us that, 'vested economic interests are playing out in these negotiations in a major way. The value of plastics traded globally is estimated by the UN at more than $USD 1 trillion, with rapid annual growth. So oil and petrochemical companies - and countries heavily dependent on oil and gas revenue - are fighting hard in this process to protect profits through growth in plastic production, as other sectors decarbonise.'
A significant majority of countries - more than 100 - are quite aligned in pushing for global rules to ban, phase out and/or regulate the most polluting plastic products and the most harmful chemicals in plastics. And a significant number - including Australia - are engaging in good faith negotiations on how the treaty can reduce plastic production to sustainable measures, as well as possible trade measures.
UN member states are now working towards the final negotiation session scheduled for Busan (South Korea) in November/December 2024. It was intended that this would be the last session before the signing of an international agreement. This may not be the case now.
Australia is amongst the progressive countries who want effective solutions with common global rules. The Boomerang Alliance commends the Australian Government and its delegation for taking this position.
Kate Noble adds that "Australia is playing a very constructive role in negotiations that goes beyond its role as a UN member state. Australia's Kate Lynch has stepped into a high-level coordination role within the negotiations, co-chairing negotiation of the financial package and obligations which will be critical to effective implementation of the treaty in the years to come.'
Please Note: In Australia, the Boomerang Alliance is currently lobbying the Commonwealth Government to introduce a Product Stewardship Scheme for Packaging that will make producers responsible for their packaging. Such a scheme would set an example to the rest of the world on how to manage problem plastic packaging and avoid waste and litter. It would be a practical demonstration of Australia's commitment towards ending plastic pollution.
In a nutshell: What the Boomerang Alliance wants
- Legally binding common and global rules that will change the way plastics are managed in our economies to avoid unnecessary consumption and eliminate waste and pollution
- Introduced Circular Economy measures that make producers responsible for the products they place into the market through their entire lifecycle
- Prioritising action on the types of plastic most likely to be wasted or littered
- Support for fair and equitable global action by providing the means (where it is needed) for all nations to transition away from problematic plastics that impact people and the environment
The Boomerang Alliance calls on Senate to support a National Circular Economy
In its submission to the Senate Inquiry on Commonwealth waste and recycling policies, the Boomerang Alliance has called for Commonwealth action to fix national waste laws.
The only way to reduce and eliminate waste is to abandon the linear economy model of make-use-throwaway and switch to a circular economy approach. The best way to achieve this is for producers of products to be responsible for their products through their entire lifecycle, not just when they manufacture them.
The Boomerang Alliance has called for:
- A national circular economy policy framework and its regulated adoption by all States and Territories.
- All existing and future product stewardship schemes are to be mandatory schemes.
- Commonwealth policies are to be aligned with State and Territory bans on particular products and landfill disposal, and the promotion of reuse of resources.
