NSW Environment Protection Authority spotlights its plastic recycling efforts on World Environment Day

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5th June and this World Environment Day, as nations across the globe commit to ending plastic pollution, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is spotlighting its efforts in tackling plastic waste across the state and acknowledges “more work needs to be done”.

NSW EPA notes “tackling plastic pollution and transforming how we manage plastic waste is a key priority for the NSW EPA as we drive towards a Circular Economy.”

Plastic waste cannot be ignored: 60% of all littered items in NSW are made of plastic, and plastic accounts for 80% of litter in the state’s estuaries and marine environments.

In the last financial year, the NSW EPA has delivered more than $12 million to help combat plastic pollution and waste, from investing in major infrastructure, funding research and supporting government, businesses and communities to create solutions for managing plastic waste.

This includes:

• $5.8 million in litter prevention grants helping industry, councils, businesses and community groups deliver 35 projects.

• $5 million for soft plastics recycling infrastructure, boosting the state's ability to process and recycle these challenging materials.

• $1.25 million to fund research that will identify innovative ways to help reduce problems in the plastic industry.

NSW EPA Chief Executive Tony Chappel said we must continue to take decisive steps to phase out problematic plastic items, promote reusable alternatives, and align NSW with other states.

Chappel advises "while the phase-out of certain single-use plastics in NSW has resulted in a 77% reduction in the number of banned single-use plastic items found in litter there is more work to be done.

"In 2022-23 NSW generated around 891,000 tonnes of plastic waste, with only 14 percent of that being recycled.

"Future measures could include phasing out plastic lollipop sticks, barrier bags, and foamed plastic packaging, requiring venues to accept reusable cups, and ensuring single-use plastics are recyclable."

Community and industry feedback on proposals to tackle plastic pollution is currently being reviewed as part of the NSW Plastics: The Way Forward action plan.

The NSW EPA, in partnership with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), is also leading the state's first-ever broadscale microplastic assessment. By sampling 120 waterways across NSW, this groundbreaking project will pinpoint the most affected areas, identify the sources of microplastic pollution, and guide targeted action to reduce it.

Chappel said plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time and we must be bold in our actions to create a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment free from the harms of plastic pollution.