New Report Reveals Plastic Litter Increase Amidst Australia’s Plastic Crisis
Clean Up Australia’s 2022 National Rubbish Report, released today, reveals that plastics account for 63% of the rubbish items removed from our parks, schools, bushland, creeks, beaches and roadways, indicating a 17% increase from 2021. Bringing to the forefront one of the great challenges facing Australia’s recycling industry, soft plastics rose by 7%, hard plastics by 5% and polystyrene by 5% compared to 2021, with single-use plastics such as plastic bottles, takeaway containers, food packaging and lids making up 25% of all reported rubbish.
The Clean Up Australia Report is a snapshot of the rubbish items volunteers have removed across 1,075 surveyed locations in Australia during 2022. Breaking down by location, 46% of all reported rubbish found nationally was in waterways including beaches, rivers and dive sites, followed by parks (14%) and bushland (13%). Plastic litter dominated all locations, with most found in school grounds (79%), bushland (74%) and parks (60%).
Amid the country’s current soft plastics crisis and after the halt of REDcycle collections, the current plastic waste challenges in Australia are concerning. A report by the Minderoo Foundation found Australia generates the most single-use plastic waste in the world per capita, with the equivalent of 60kgs of waste for every Australian per year1.
However, Chair of Clean Up Australia Pip Kiernan wants Australians ahead of this year’s Clean Up Australia Day on March 5 to not feel defeated, but look for practical everyday ways we can all work to improve the environment and move towards a more circular economy and greater sustainability.
“I encourage all Aussies to reduce, reuse and refuse as often as they can as a simple first step we can all action. It’s easy to make a difference. Joining in on Clean Up Australia Day, opting for reusable shopping bags and coffee cups, avoiding single use plastics, making purchases with longevity in mind, and actively seeking out reusable and recycled packaging is a great way to start,” says Pip.
Sign-up to receive your free clean up kit before Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 5th of March 2023. Get your friends, family and neighbours involved this Clean Up Australia Day and help us make it the biggest one yet.
To register or donate, please visit www.cleanup.org.au