Australian Retailers Association concerned by missed opportunity to establish national framework for single-use plastics

While welcoming the key outcomes from Friday’s Environment Ministers Meeting, Australia’s largest retail peak body, the Australian Retailers Association says failure to provide a nationally agreed timeline and approach to the phase-out of single-use plastics is a missed opportunity that will continue to increase cost and complexity.

Australian Retailers Association (ARA) members are focused on plastics and dealing with the inefficiencies of eight different jurisdictions that are all managing the phase-out of plastics differently.

ARA highlight the need for national consistency and a mutually agreed timeline that everyone can operate within, not just nationally agreed definitions .

ARA Chief Executive Paul Zahra said that many retailers have already taken positive steps to address community concerns about plastic pollution but that the sector desperately needed a national plan to guide the ongoing phase-out of unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics.

Zahra shared “we welcome the increased focus on biodiversity and threatened species outlined in the communique following the Environment Ministers Meeting. Restoring, nurturing and preserving Australia’s natural environment is of critical importance to our country and we commend the shared commitment to step-up our efforts in these important areas.

“However, plastic pollution one of the most immediate sustainability issues for retail right now and our sector supports a timely and cost-effective phase-out of single-use plastics.

“The communique committed to ‘nationally harmonised definitions’ to support this phase-out. These definitions are important but what we need now is a national plan to address this national problem. While we applaud the proactive approach that state and territory governments are taking, the lack of a national framework has meant this change has been more costly and complex than necessary.”

The ARA warmly welcomed other commitments outlined in the communique that will reduce environmental degradation and resource depletion while supporting the transition to net-zero emissions.

“The Government’s commitment to expanding the National Waste Policy Action Plan, reforming regulation of packaging design to support the transition to the circular economy and the phasing-out of harmful chemicals in food packaging are all positive and impactful developments for the retail sector,” Zahra added.

“These measures will help to address immediate environmental issues and support the transition to the low carbon, circular economy of the future. And the 30/30 Pledge, increased protection for threatened species and the establishment of a national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will also be welcomed by the broader community.

Zahra concluded “It has been 13 years since the first plastics bans were implemented in South Australia. The time for definitions and words has passed. What we need now is collective action to drive collective impact.”

World Wildlife Fund spotlights ongoing plastic pollution problems

Around 30% of plastics consumed are single-use. While convenient, they’re discarded after just one use. The amount of time, energy and effort that goes into producing, exporting and importing these products just doesn’t add up - especially if they’re made to last forever.

According to WWF, Australians have one of the biggest single-use plastic footprints per person in the world - we’re second after Singapore.

Only 12% of plastics used in Australia ends up recycled. We’re using too many single-use products, we’re not recycling enough, and the vast majority is ending up in landfill or littered in our parks, nature and oceans. Something needs to change.

Plastic pollution accounts for 80% of all litter in our oceans. It’s a problem that can easily be ignored due to how far the ocean is away from most of us. However, yearly storms reveal the true health of our oceans.

One problem with ocean plastic pollution is that is slowly breaks down into microplastics. These tiny particles of plastic are more easily ingested by marine life and can poison entire food chains. Once ingested, plastic gives the impression that the animal is full when in fact, it isn’t and it eventually starves to death.

Images. Credit: WWF Australia