Australia moves towards less plastic consumption
By Alexandra Johnson
Australia is becoming less polluted by plastic due to the reduction of sales of plastic bags in commercial retailers and supermarkets.
The Australian Federal Government announced in December 2015 that they would work to strengthen the detrimental impact of plastic wastage on the environment.
Federal Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt, states that $60,000 worth of funding will go to the National Environmental Science Programme.
“This will be to kick-start research into the major sources of marine plastic waste”, Mr Hunt says.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society notes that Australian’s use 10 million plastic bags a day, average 3.9 billion a year.
However, figures have shown the Australia has shown a decrease in the yearly consumption of plastic bags and wastage.
Non-Government Environmental Conservation Organisation, Clean Up Australia, has been working towards decreasing the use of plastic in Australia.
Clean Up Australia released figures on Australia’s use of plastic bags between 2002 and 2007, as seen in the graph provided.
Despite an astonishing six billion plastic bags being used in 2002, Australia’s consumption of plastic bags in 2007 has decreased to less than four billion, as shown in the table.
Statistics released by Non-Governmental Organisation Plastic Ocean’s Foundation, state that the global wastage of plastic is more the 300 million tonnes a year.
According to the Plastic Ocean’s Foundation, more than ‘8 million tonnes (of plastic) ends up in the ocean’ on a yearly basis.
France has shown action in tackling the plastic bag epidemic, by banning plastic bags in July 2016. This is part of the government’s 2015 Energy bill, in the hopes to introduce recyclable and reusable biodegradable plastic bags.
The green political party in France, Europe Écologie – Les Verts, proposed the idea. However, the French government has made no clear public announcement about the plan.
The Environmental Bill put forward in 2015 states that the move is part of the French government’s project to transition to green energy. Their new set of laws also aims to cut landfill waste by half by 2025.
Five billion plastic bags are handed out every year in France, while another 12 billion are used in the produce section of stores.
Figures released by the Ocean Crusaders Organisation, show that France’s plastic bag wastage was recorded to be 12 billion tonnes in 2007, whilst Australia’s was recorded to be 4 billion tonnes.
Additionally, Australia’s Labor Party Minister, Peter Garret, attempted to implement a one-dollar cost in 2007, with certain areas banning the use of plastic bags in supermarkets and convenience stores altogether.
However, Labour Premier, Morris Iemma, was quick to shut down the idea of charging for plastic bags. Mr Iemma did not agree with the idea of introducing a one-dollar price tag for plastic bags in February 2016.
“There are families with 3 or 4 children, that’s going to be an extra $10 to a family’s grocery budget” Mr Iemma says.
Environmental Organisation Clean Up Australia has commended the Federal Government’s introduction of fees for plastic bags, but permanent changes are yet to be implemented.
Australia’s plan to tackle plastic wastage will be reassessed in 2017, whilst France will continue its efforts to meet its 2020 goals as outlines in its Energy Bill.
Clean Up Australia is a volunteer run not-for-profit environmental conservation organisation. To volunteer, donate learn more about the organisation, visit http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/
Littering is considered a crime in Australia under the Littering Act 1979. If you see someone littering, call 1300 372 842 to report the crime.
REFERENCES:
http://oceancrusaders.org/plastic-crusades/plastic-statistics/
https://www.environment.gov.au/minister/hunt/2016/mr20160229a.html
http://www.news.com.au/national/labor-brawl-over-plastic-bag-tax/story-e6frfkp9-1111115748304
http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/The-draft-bill.html
https://www.cleanup.org.au/PDF/au/cua-world-update-on-plastic-bags-as-at-120207.pdf
http://www.france24.com/en/20160701-france-bans-plastic-bags-distributed-stores
http://www.marineconservation.org.au/pages/plastic-pollution.html
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