$356 Million Plan To Tackle Plastics

Plastics like single-use lightweight bags, cotton-buds, straws and stirrers will be phased out, under legislation introduced to the NSW Parliament today.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said once passed by Parliament, the NSW Government’s comprehensive $356 million plastics plan and waste strategy would be implemented over five years.

“This approach to reducing waste, promoting recycling and protecting businesses is nation-leading,” Mr Crouch said.

“Businesses will be supported to transition to new products before the phase-outs come into effect, and exemptions will be available for members of the community who rely on particular single-use plastics for disability or health needs.

“I have received assurances from Minister Kean that extensive consultation has occurred with both small and large businesses, and broad support has been received for this comprehensive approach to reducing our environmental impact through this plastics plan and waste strategy.”

Environment Minister Matt Kean said we must reduce the plastics ending up in the environment because we are on track to see more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.

“The single-use items we are phasing-out will stop an estimated 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from ending up in our environment and waterways over the next 20 years,” Mr Kean said.

“We can’t keep sending our scraps to languish in landfill when there are huge opportunities to turn our trash into treasure.

“Under our plans, every household will have access to a separate bin for their food and organic waste for the first time in NSW.

“In addition, we will lead by example and help stimulate new markets for sustainable products by adopting an ‘if not, why not’ approach to the use of recycled materials in Government procurement.”

For more information, go to: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=3903.