The Boomerang Alliance of 53 national, state and local NGOs has called on political parties in the Tasmanian Election to commit to the introduction of bans on problem single use plastics and develop greater recycling.

"Tasmania made a great start with its commitment to a best practise container deposit scheme (CDS) and was the second state to introduce a ban of lightweight plastics bags in 2013. With plastic pollution an ever growing environmental threat – the state needs to take the next big steps’’, said Jeff Angel, Director of the Alliance.

"Tasmania should not be the last State to ban problem single-use plastic takeaway items. However time is running out as other mainland states are moving quickly. It’s a natural move as Tassie has an enviable reputation as a green and healthy island."

"Plastic bans are popular in the community and will change business and consumer practices and significantly reduce plastic litter and waste. This election is the opportunity to put things right, to change plastics habits and reduce plastic litter and waste, once and for all. We want to see all political parties include these measures in their election policies."

Background Facts

• Five States and Territories have banned or plan to ban plastic takeaway items. NSW is likely soon. That leaves Tasmania and the NT to act.
  
  
• According to latest Clean Up Australia data for Tasmania, 41% of all litter was beverage and takeaway food packaging.

Our policy asks for the next Parliament:

• Introduce a container deposit scheme on schedule with a declared return target of 90% + within 3 years.
  
  
• Develop a long-term Plastic Pollution Reduction Strategy for the State that addresses single-use plastics in the home, away from home, in agriculture, business and industry and the marine environment.
  
  
• Implement by mid-2022, laws to prohibit the supply of identified single use plastic takeaway items. Specifically plastic straws, cutlery, coffee cups/lids, cups and containers and heavyweight plastic bags. Other items such as plastic stems on cotton buds and other problem plastics should be included.
  
  
• Enact laws to ban the release of helium balloons for non-scientific purposes and prevent the supply of helium at retail level for event and recreational balloon purposes.
  
  
• Increase funding for community litter clean ups and citizen science projects on plastics and litter.
  
  
• Make all government sponsored public events plastic-free.
  
  
• Promote the uptake of reusable foodware in takeaway and food services.
  
  
• Adopt targets for recycled content in government procurement and ensure certified standards for reusable and compostable food ware are adhered to.

In an historic decision, the Queensland Parliament unanimously passed the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Bill 2020 today to ban certain single use plastics from use.

‘From 1 September 2021 plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates and bowls and expanded polystyrene cups and containers will be banned,’ said Toby Hutcheon from the Boomerang Alliance

‘These are amongst the most littered items in Queensland with the most recent Clean Up Australia Report for QLD estimating that over 30% of all litter collected was plastic packaging.’

‘Queensland is the second State in Australia to introduce laws to ban single-use plastics. We congratulate the State Government on introducing this bill.’

‘We also acknowledge the LNP and the Greens who have actively supported the legislation. The bans are supported by all the major hospitality and retail industry sectors and APCO who represent the beverage and packaging sector. ‘

Major fast food and retail chains have already stopped or are about to stop supplying these items as part of the global push to reduce marine plastic pollution.

The Boomerang Alliance Plastic Free Places program, which has been active in Noosa, Cairns and Townsville, has demonstrated that cafes and events are willing and able to switch to non-plastic or reusable or certified compostable alternatives.

A 2019 IPSOS poll found that 69% of Australians supported a ban on single-use plastics. 94% of submissions about the new laws in QLD supported a ban.

The Queensland Government intends to add other plastic items such as coffee cups/lids, other plastic takeaway items and heavyweight plastic bags after further investigation.

The Commonwealth National Plastics Plan is a substantial effort with some new stand out actions, the Boomerang Alliance of 53 NGO said today.

“Significant new moves include the banning of polystyrene packaging around white goods by July 2022; microfibre filters on new washing machines; and joining the push for a global agreement to remove plastic pollution from the environment,’’ said Jeff Angel, Director of the Alliance.

“The Commonwealth also plans to ban polystyrene food and beverage containers by December 2022, ahead of most state schedules.’’

‘’The Boomerang Alliance welcomes support for a Plastic Free Beaches program based on our successful Plastic Free Places program which has already eliminated over 7 million plastic items through encouraging practice change in cafes.  It’s a key transitional program accompanying state bans on single use items like straws, foodware and cups.’’ 

‘’With only 13% of plastic recycled, we dump most of the 2.5m tonnes used each year into landfill or the oceans.  To ensure that 100% of packaging is reusable, compostable or recyclable by the 2025 target and achieve 50% recycled content in plastic packaging means government has to keep the pressure up on industry. Labels saying something is recyclable are meaningless if that does not happen in practice.  We believe regulation will be necessary.’’

‘’Cigarette Butts are the most littered item in Australia. The announced taskforce has to find solutions, including a proposal to remove butts from cigarettes.’’

Stand up for the top scheme, not the one corporations want, says Jeff Angel.

The operator of the Qld 10c Refund Scheme for drink bottles and cans Container Exchange, is being sued for up to $19.5million, according to its recent Annual Financial Report.

Where does plastic recycling stand in Australia now? Have we become complacent during the days and months of Covid? Are we merely wasting our time sorting out the bins, or is the cause worth making a little extra effort? Indira Naidoo from ABC Nightlife discussed plastic waste and recycling with Amy Westnedge from Wastewise on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and Jeff Angel, the Boomerang Alliance director.

As the last mainland state in Australia to introduce a container deposit scheme (CDS), Victoria has an opportunity to make a real difference. The state’s future CDS could be the most efficient, effective and ethical in the country — but only if it is designed right.

Many supporters contact Boomerang Alliance at this time of year seeking green ideas for Christmas. This year we have put our focus on gifts that can help you, your family and friends go plastic-free. We've chosen small, less expensive gifts  that help avoid single-use plastics when shopping, buying takeaway, at home or out-and-about.

Check out our plastic-free gift guide that features our top ten gift picks.

The Western Australian Government released its Plan for Plastics yesterday. The plan sets out the government's plastics reduction plans for the 2020-26 period. More immediate plans include the phase-out of identified single use plastics and other SUPs in the medium term (see below). A key identified initiative is a Plastic Free Places program to be introduced in 2021.

In this Queensland election: Which party has the best policies on Plastics and Waste?