Australian environment ministers agree to “address the use of harmful chemicals in food packaging,” create packaging design standards and targets, harmonize curbside recycling programs; details forthcoming
New Zealand and two Australian states phase out single-use plastics
New Zealand Ministry for the Environment announces plan to ban many hard-to-recycle and single-use plastic items by mid-2025; includes food packaging made from polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and some degradable plastics, plus all drink stirrers, single-use tableware, and fruit labels; Western Australia moves Plan for Plastics ahead 4 years, banning most single-use plasticware by end of 2021; New South Wales to eliminate most single-use plasticware within a year
Australia to ban exporting recyclable waste
Prime Minister announces goal of banning waste plastic, paper, and glass exports; reviewing options to better handle and reduce waste domestically; bans to be implemented ‘as soon as practicable’
Australian draft action plan against marine plastic pollution
Australian Government publishes draft plan to reduce marine debris and target plastic pollution in particular; commits to prevention, removal, monitoring activities, raising public awareness
Australia considers container deposit scheme
Senate hearing discusses ways to tackle marine plastic pollution; call for container deposit scheme and end to consuming ‘disposable plastics’
Australia releases National Plastic Plan
Australian government announces National Plastic Plan; outlines approaches to plastic recycling, replacing unnecessary plastics, reducing plastics’ impact on the environment; proposes investments in prevention, recycling, consumer education, research, and development
Australians’ exposure to food packaging chemicals is low
Food standards agency of Australia and New Zealand tests foods and beverages for 30 packaging chemicals; half of chemicals detected at low levels (ppm/ppb) in tested samples
Australia sets national packaging targets
Targets set to be achieved by 2025; include 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging, 70% recycling or composting rate, 30% average recycled content in packaging, phasing out problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging
No regulation on food packaging in Australia and New Zealand
Food Standards Australia New Zealand will not regulate chemicals in food packaging, instead prepares non-regulatory guidelines with industry
Australia: Calls for nanomaterial ban in food and packaging
Australian health campaigners call for mandatory register of nanomaterials and products containing nanomaterials