Federal Government invests $60 million in recycling - but is it enough to stem the tide of plastic pollution?

The Federal Government has announced that it is investing in sophisticated recycling technology and infrastructure, with a $60 million new funding stream targeted at advanced plastic recycling technology that will tackle problematic plastics like bread bags and chip packets.

The investment, included in this month’s Federal Budget, builds on the $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) which is driving a $1 billion transformation of the waste and recycling sector.

Advanced recycling, also referred to as feedstock, molecular, or chemical recycling, converts plastic waste into its chemical building blocks, where it can then be made into new plastic or other resources such as fuel.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government is committed to stopping harmful plastics from entering our oceans, choking up our waterways and destroying our marine life.

“This new funding stream, dedicated to helping solve the problem of hard to recycle plastic waste, demonstrates our determination to invest in Australian industry, to growing the recycling sector and to creating a stronger economy and stronger future for Australia,” the Prime Minister said.

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) described the funding announcement as welcome news for oceans which are filling up with plastic waste.

Shane Cucow, AMCS plastics expert notes “difficult to recycle plastics such as soft plastics are one of our biggest obstacles to improving recycling rates.

“Only 4% of soft plastics are currently getting recycled in Australia, yet soft plastics are the most lethal type of consumer plastic for ocean wildlife like whales and turtles.

“These soft plastics are some of the most common plastics found in ocean cleanups. When eaten by wildlife they can wrap around other plastics in their stomachs, causing life threatening internal blockages.

“By investing in new recycling technologies targeting these hard to recycle plastics, the government is bringing us closer to the goal of keeping plastic out of our oceans.

However Cucow warns the investment boost will not be enough to stem the tide of plastic pollution on its own.

Federal Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans said the new round of funding will help increase plastic recycling rates with more access to plastic feedstock and states “it will also help drive progress on our targets to have 70% of our plastic packaging recycled or composted and 50% of average recycled content in packaging by 2025.”

This is disputed by AMCS’ Cucow who claims this funding won’t be enough to reach Australia’s target for 70% of plastic packaging to be recycled by 2025 and notes “according to projections from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), Australia is currently on track to recycle just 36% of plastic packaging by 2025, at best.”

Federal Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley, said the new funding would also support the Government’s ReMade in Australia recycling initiative. That program is the focus of a major advertising campaign from the department of agriculture, water and the environment, with thousands of dollars spent on Facebook ads saying the initiative is “turning your glass bottles into roads, plastic bottles into boardwalks and old shampoo bottles into new playgrounds”.

Minister Ley added “the time to act on hard to recycle plastics is now - fast-tracking advanced recycling infrastructure will help the industry recycle more of the one million tonnes of plastic packaging waste we generate every year - creating valuable new products while keeping problematic waste out of landfill.”

However Cucow highlights “the fact is we can never recycle all the plastic being created. Not while fresh virgin plastic is being pumped out in ever increasing volumes, by companies who don’t take responsibility for the pollution problem they have created.

“As long as Australia allows companies to increase their plastic use and avoid using recycled content, our oceans will pay the price.

“It’s time for the government to set mandatory targets to cut plastic use in Australia, with requirements for companies to use recycled content in their plastic packaging.”

Image top: Seagull and chip packet courtesy Friends of the Earth; image above turtle among the plastic via shutterstock