Plastics that pollute our waterways, litter our parks and neighbourhoods, and contaminate our recycling efforts are set to be phased out as the Minns Labor Government takes strong action.
The NSW Plastics Plan will phase out the use of items like heavyweight plastic shopping bags and plastic confectionary sticks, and small items like soy sauce fish.
Other items to be removed include expanded plastic packaging, plastic pizza savers, plastic bread tags, and plastic balloon sticks and ties. These items are already banned in other states.
Fruit and vegetable stickers will have to become compostable and single use coffee cups will be required to be recyclable.
The plan will also stop the releases of helium balloons, which often end up in our waterways and are lethal to marine wildlife.
Plastic remains one of NSW's biggest environmental challenges. A new baseline study by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the NSW Environment Protection Authority has measured microplastics in coastal waterways to show the extent of plastic pollution in our environment. Microplastics were detected in every waterway sampled.
Our research shows urbanisation strongly increases microplastic contamination. The more development around an area, the more microplastics tend to be in the waterway. For this reason, the Minnamurra River had higher plastic contamination reflecting the local urbanised environment of Kiama.
The findings reinforce the need for continued action to prevent microplastics entering waterways. Acting on these problematic plastic items will make it easier and clearer for businesses and consumers to do the right thing.
Full NSW Plastics Plan 2.0 here - https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Plastics/plastics-plan-20
Full microplastics report here - https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/broadscale-microplastics-assessment
Quotes attributable to NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe:
"Plastic breaks down into microplastic. Microplastics are entering our bodies and polluting our environment and oceans, killing our wildlife.
"Consumers want to do the right thing and use less plastic. This will help make the right choice the easy choice.
"We will work closely with industry, small businesses, manufacturers, retailers and councils to support a smooth transition to less plastic and safer recycling alternatives.
Quotes attributable to Katelin McInerney:
"Kiama has always had some incredible, forward thinking advocates when it comes to fighting plastic waste.
"I'm proud to be part of a government that is stepping up to the waste challenge our state faces.
"I would really encourage businesses to seek advice if they aren't sure about what single use plastic is ok.
