Our oceans are filling with more and more plastic each year, with growing fears it will outweigh the number of fish by 2050.
In a bid to address these concerns, the Hunter community is being encouraged to have its say on how the NSW Government can prevent 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste from causing further harm to the environment and human health.
That’s how much plastic is currently being produced across the state every 12 months.
From now until Sunday 4 February 2024, people can share their feedback at the NSW Plastics Next Steps website, outlining proposed further action on plastic in NSW.
Industry, businesses and the community are encouraged to share their thoughts.
NSW Plastics: Next Steps discussion paper details how the state plans to reduce plastic litter by 30% by 2025, ultimately curbing the impact of microplastics and aligning with other states and territories.
“By 2050 there may be more plastic than fish by weight in the world’s oceans,” Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe says.
“Plastic has become so widespread that we are constantly eating, drinking and breathing it in.
“NSW alone generates 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year and only 12% of it is recycled.”
Once thrown away, plastics do not disappear, we are being reminded.
Instead, they pollute the environment, harm wildlife, pose a risk to human health and contribute to climate change.
NSW Plastics: Next Steps identifies and addresses items and materials that are frequently littered or release microplastics into the environment, contain harmful chemical additives, and/or are regulated or proposed to be in other states and territories.
Items containing plastic such as lollipop sticks, cigarette butts, bread tags and heavyweight plastic shopping bags are some of the problematic products that could be redesigned or phased out.
Consultation is open for 14 weeks from now until 4 February.
To participate in the future of plastics, visit NSW Environment Protection Authority.
Background:
In 2022 NSW began to tackle problematic plastics by phasing out the supply of items such as lightweight plastic bags; plastic single-use cutlery, bowls (without spill-proof lids), plates, stirrers and straws; and plastic microbeads in some rinse-off personal care products.
NSW is currently lagging in its efforts to tackle problematic plastics.
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