With only a fraction of Australia's plastics being recycled, the federal government has announced a push to process more waste and track recycled products all the way from their origin to supermarket shelves.
A slice of $60 million is being offered by the government for projects that help boost Australia's current plastic recycling rate from only about 13 per cent.
Focus will be given to projects tackling hard-to-recycle plastics, such as shopping bags, bread bags and cling wrap.
It follows revelations that major supermarket partner REDcycle was stockpiling thousands of tonnes of soft plastic returned by consumers due to a lack of recycling capacity in Australia.
The government is also considering creating a national framework to track recycled products that will help improve confidence and transparency in the system.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said Australians use about 3.8 million tonnes of plastic a year and dispose of about 2.7 million tonnes - equal to 50 times the weight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“We know Australians want to do their bit and recycle, and many businesses are doing the right thing," Ms Plibersek said on Tuesday.
“Traceability allows us to track where a product was manufactured, where it was recycled, or if it has gone to landfill."
The proposed plan would allow businesses to track recycled content through the stages of material recovery, reprocessing, manufacturing, distribution and retail.
All state and territory environment ministers have agreed to pursue the initiative, with a discussion paper open for public consultation until the end of August.
Circular Australia managing director and chief executive Lisa McLean said the plan would improve Australia's ability to trade with the UK, EU, China and other countries that are introducing similar schemes.
“Digital product passports not only enable Australians to track resources that have value or may pollute the environment, they also give assurance that recycling works and creates value," Ms McLean said.
An $11 million joint investment with the NSW government, also announced on Tuesday, is already helping nine businesses across the state improve their facilities and boost capacity to remanufacture plastic, paper, cardboard and tyres by more than 20,000 tonnes a year.
The funds are being matched by $18.5m in spending from the businesses and will help create nearly 100 jobs.
“NSW generates around 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year, but only 10 per cent is currently recycled," NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said.
“This funding aims to triple the plastic recycling rate by 2030."
