The Boomerang Alliance of 55 environment NGOs welcomes the appointment of Tanya Plibersek, as Australia’s Environment Minister and urges quick action on implementing key recycling and plastic pollution policies.

As NSW finally enters the lightweight plastic bag free-era tomorrow, environmental groups have called for the government to avoid delaying action on other polluting plastics.

After years of controversy about what can be safely flushed down the toilet; the damaging impacts on the sewerage system and environment; and failed court cases by the ACCC - a new standard* will sort this mess out.

Coles Supermarkets in their recent announcement about using marine plastic waste in plastic bags are undermining their own Together to Zero Waste strategy by failing to meet genuine standards for reusability.

When it comes to plastic pollution, seabirds are the canaries in the coalmine. But are the two major parties at this election really taking notice?

Jeff Angel speaking to Melinda James from ABC Breakfast about NSW plastic bag ban.

Zero Waste NZ say it well in 2.20mins. We are seeing the same industry push in Australia. For more information, visit Zero Waste Network website.

The next State to introduce a single use plastics phase out is Victoria, scheduled for February 2023.

National plastic reduction, recycling, and reuse targets for 2025 will not be met unless the next Commonwealth Government acts to ensure their delivery.

The release of the Northern Territory Circular Economy Strategy is a welcome step up, to grow recycling and curb plastic pollution.

The Territory’s management of waste and recycling has been pretty abysmal to date and the new Strategy should set it along the path to significant improvement, although Boomerang Alliance would like the government to move faster on the single use plastic bans.

Given other states are successfully transitioning to avoidance and non-plastic alternatives on quicker timeframes and business is adjusting well, the NT should set a date of mid-2023 for the ban on plastic - heavyweight bags, straws, cutlery, EPS food containers, plates and bowls to take effect. The ban on release of helium balloons is a great move putting the Territory near the top of such state actions.

There’s a lot of work on the new regulatory regime needed as circular economy principles and processes will require effective implementation. Boomerang Alliance is pleased that the Strategy also commits to targets for recycled content in buildings and civil construction.