A European Union-style tax on plastic packaging may elevate nearly $1.5bn yearly, in keeping with the Australia Institute.
Analysis exhibits the federal authorities may elevate $1300 per tonne of unrecycled plastic by a levy on companies that import or manufacture plastic packaging.
“Australia is dealing with a rising tsunami of plastic waste and is predicted to overlook each recycling goal it has set,” Australia Institute round economic system and waste program director Nina Gbor mentioned.
“We’re recovering lower than a fifth of the plastic waste used every year, with consumption anticipated to greater than double to just about 10 billion tonnes by 2050.
“If recycling was the answer to the plastic waste disaster, it might have been solved by now. As an alternative, it simply encourages the manufacturing and consumption of much more waste that’s choking our landfill and oceans.
“Until we drastically cut back or step by step section out plastics altogether, in favour of compostable supplies, this plastic waste downside will proceed to develop.”
An EU levy launched in 2021 requires €800 to be paid per tonne of unrecycled plastic packaging waste.
In Australian {dollars}, that equates to $1300 per tonne.
Meaning with 1.179 million tonnes of packaging waste per yr, the federal authorities may elevate $1.46bn with the same levy.
Australia Institute surveyed 1002 individuals, with 85 per cent of respondents supporting legislated waste discount targets for producers, suppliers and retailers.
An identical quantity backed legal guidelines requiring plastic merchandise to include recycled materials, whereas 78 per cent endorsed a ban on plastics that might not be recycled at house.
“We all know that Australians help more durable motion to curb plastic waste, and that taxes and schemes requiring producers to fund the gathering and recycling of plastic they produce are working abroad,” Ms Gbor mentioned.
“Australia’s plastic consumption is rising, not falling. The federal government wanted to behave yesterday and may begin by following the EU’s lead.”
