Help us encourage politicians to beat plastic pollution and phase out the 10 worst single-use plastics in your state or territory!
Our country’s beautiful beaches and picturesque coastlines are threatened by an increasingly urgent waste crisis that we need to address now.
On average, Australians use 130kg of plastic per person each year. Less than 12% of that's recycled. More frightening still, up to 130,000 tonnes of plastic will find its way into our waterways and into the ocean.
Once in the ocean, it endangers our marine wildlife. Studies have also shown that it has begun to enter the food chain and end up on our plates.
Plastic is an incredibly versatile material, made to be strong and durable. Unfortunately, most plastics are made to be used once before being discarded.
They’re convenient for a few minutes, but often end up in landfills, by the sides of roads, as litter in parks and floating in our oceans for hundreds of years before breaking down into microplastics.
The truth is, plastic is everywhere and it doesn’t disappear.
But together, we can fix this urgent waste crisis now.
Some of our state and territory politicians are showing great leadership in helping to beat plastic pollution. But there is still a lot more to be done. Including addressing the consistently most littered item in Australia, cigarette butts.
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Here’s what we’re asking for:
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Australian Capital Territory
We commend the Australian Capital Territory’s commitment to phase out a range of single-use plastic items. As part of the ACT’s initiative on this issue, we’re calling on the Environment Minister to tackle the remaining problematic plastics ending up in our environment.
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New South Wales
We commend New South Wales’ recent commitment to ban a range of single-use plastic items. As part of the NSW plan we’re calling on the Environment Minister to introduce legislation this year in addition to tackling the remaining problematic plastics ending up in our environment.
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Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is currently lagging behind the rest of Australia on tackling the most commonly found plastic litter polluting the Territory. We’re calling on the Environment Minister to take action on the most problematic plastics ending up in our environment.
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Queensland
We commend Queensland on its legislation to phase out a range of single-use plastic items. We’re calling on the Environment Minister to tackle the remaining problematic plastics ending up in our environment.
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South Australia
We commend South Australia on its legislation to phase out a range of single-use plastic items. South Australia has been a champion for action on plastic pollution in Australia and we support further action to ensure the state continues to be a leader on this issue.
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Western Australia
We commend Western Australia for its leadership in banning a wide range of single-use plastic items. Western Australia was the first to take action on plastic coffee cups and lids, and we support further action on problematic plastics.
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Victoria
Victoria is currently lagging behind the rest of Australia on tackling the most commonly found plastic litter polluting the state. We commend Victoria’s recent commitment to establish a container deposit scheme and phase out a range of single-use plastics in 2023, but there is more to do to tackle the most commonly found plastic items polluting the state.
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Tasmania
Tasmania is currently lagging behind the rest of Australia on tackling the most commonly found plastic litter polluting the state. We’re calling on the Environment Minister to take action on the most problematic plastics ending up in our environment.