Plastic packaging regulation is one step closer to reality!
During October, the Federal Government sought feedback on draft options for national packaging reform. As we feared, there was no commitment to reduce fossil fuel plastic packaging. Instead, it was focused on increasing recycling, which is good, but not enough.
I told the Government it needs to include reducing fossil fuel plastic packaging in the reform. Thanks to you, I was able to share 12,400 petition signatures in support of this.
Next Monday, I will be speaking in parliament about why reducing plastic packaging needs to be part of the new laws. Can you help me persuade the government by sharing this petition with your friends and asking them to sign?
For more information about the Government’s proposal for national packaging rules, read my summary below or my full submission HERE.
Kate
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What has the government proposed for packaging reform?
The Government presented three options for new national packaging rules that would apply to all packaging used in Australia. These were:
Option 1. Strengthening the current co-regulatory arrangement (it’s voluntary and not working). Essentially, it’s more of the same.
Option 2. Mandatory requirements to improve the recyclability of packaging. These are good, but don’t go far enough – they set a minimum standard but don’t encourage best practice and they don’t mention reducing fossil fuel plastic packaging.
Option 3. Specific mandatory requirements from Option 2 PLUS a mandatory extended producer responsibility scheme (EPRS) for packaging that makes producers financially responsible for the whole life cycle of packaging.
EPRSs are the gold standard in reducing waste, and this has the potential to be excellent. Our Container Deposit Schemes, where you get 10c refund per bottles, are examples of EPRSs already in operation. The current proposal has no mention of packaging reduction, reuse or fossil fuel plastic. Luckily, an EPRS could be amended to incentivise packaging that is reusable, minimal, and doesn’t use fossil fuel plastic. I have advocated for this.