Plastic pollution is an escalating environmental disaster that has severe and enduring impacts on Australia’s coastlines and marine ecosystems. Our oceans are inundated with plastic fragments that are harming marine wildlife and ecosystems.
Globally, packaging represents the largest application of plastics, making up 40% of the 380 million tonnes produced in 2015.¹ Plastic production is directly linked with plastic pollution – the more plastic that gets produced, the more plastic ends up polluting the environment.² In Australia, over 1.2 million tonnes of plastic packaging was placed on the market in 2022–23.³ Of this, just 19% of packaging was recovered, falling significantly short of the national target to recycle or compost 70% of packaging by 2025.⁴
Over 145,000 tonnes of plastic leak into Australia’s environment annually, amounting to over 250 kg a minute.⁵ Prominent sources of plastic pollution in Australia include packaging, textiles, cigarette butts, tyres, fishing gear and building materials. Once in our oceans, plastic is almost impossible to recover. Turtles, seals, birds, whales and fish are dying from entanglement, maiming and starvation caused by plastic pollution.⁶
Summary
Plastic pollution is a devastating environmental crisis, with packaging now making up 58% of litter collected in Australia.⁷ Despite ambitious national targets, only 19% of plastic packaging was recovered in 2022–23.⁸ This report presents the urgent need for upstream regulatory reforms to reduce plastic packaging at its source and transition to a circular economy.
Drawing on lessons from the European Union, successful case studies in Australia and abroad, and strong public support, there is an opportunity for the Australian Government to introduce:
- National reuse targets of 40–70%, supported by investment in shared infrastructure and design standards.
- A mandatory, eco-modulated extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme that penalises problematic and non-recyclable packaging.
- Mandatory packaging design requirements to eliminate excessive packaging and encourage reusable and refillable systems.
Australians overwhelmingly support action, with 76% backing mandatory packaging reductions and 70% willing to use reuse systems if they are accessible.⁹ Strong, enforceable regulation, rather than voluntary industry commitments, is essential to protect our oceans, reduce emissions, and ensure a just and effective transition to environmentally sustainable packaging.
A green sea turtle hatchling runs down a beach after hatching on the Great Barrier Reef.
Recommendations
By learning from international best practices, domestic and international case studies, and responding to strong public support, Australia can become a global leader in cutting plastic pollution at its source. The Australian Government must incorporate a full lifecycle approach to managing plastic pollution, and mature beyond a recycling-centric economy. New packaging laws in Australia must be comprehensive, and be enforced through an effective independent regulator.
Set reuse targets and invest in infrastructure
- Introduce national, sector-based reduction and reuse targets – uncoupled from recycling and
composting targets. - Invest in shared infrastructure for collection, cleaning and redistribution of reusable packaging.
- Support cross-brand collaboration to enable shared packaging for reuse and refill systems.
Implement an eco-modulated EPR scheme
- Introduce producer fees based on the environmental impact of packaging – lower fees for reusable
systems; higher fees for disposable packaging and problematic materials. - Hold producers responsible for their packaging throughout its lifecycle.
- Use revenue to fund shared infrastructure for reuse, collection and recycling.
Introduce mandatory design requirements
- Enforce minimum packaging standards, including bans on non-functional features such as overheads,
false bottoms, and unnecessary layers. Marketing is not a valid excuse for disposable packaging. - Design for litter prevention – mandate tethered lids and minimise loose components.
- Design for longevity – establish standards for durable, reusable and refillable packaging.
- Require minimum recycled content and recyclability as part of design criteria.
An adult green sea turtle swims through schools of fish on Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia.
You Can Help
Over 250 kg of plastic leaks into Australia’s environment every minute. There are now up to 40,000 pieces of plastic per square kilometre on the most polluted parts of Australia’s coastline.
The less plastic humans produce, the less plastic ends up polluting our beaches and oceans.
Sign your name to call on the Australian Government to remain strong and negotiate a Global Plastics Treaty that the oceans and people of the world desperately need.
References
- Selke, S. E.M., Culter, J. D., Auras, R. A. & Rabnawaz, M. (2021). Plastics Packaging: Properties, Processing, Applications, and Regulations. München: Hanser, 4th ed.
- AMCS, WWF-Australia, & Blue Environment. (2023). Climate impacts of plastic consumption in Australia. https://www.marineconservation.org.au/plasticemissions/
- APCO. (2024). Australian Packaging Consumption & Recovery Data 2022-23. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation. https://apco.org.au/news/20YOl00000HTRcYMAX
- Ibid.
- O’Farrell, K., Harney, F., & Chakma, P. (2021). Australian Plastics Flows and Fates Study 2019-20 – National Report. Prepared for the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
- United Nations Environment Programme (2021). From Pollution to Solution: A global assessment of marine litter and plastic pollution. Synthesis. Nairobi.
- Clean Up Australia. (2024). Annual Litter Report.
- APCO. (2024).
- YouGov. (2025). Poll conducted for the Australian Marine Conservation Society.