Globally, an estimated 8 million metric tonnes of plastic waste litter our oceans each year, spilling into the ecosystem from over 1000 different rivers. Plastics have supported our lifestyles across the planet but while they may be a convenient material, they have a very inconvenient cost; the scale of production and incapacity to dispose of plastics has now caused major challenges for ecological processes, for our ability to achieve climate and biodiversity goals and even for our own health. And so, it is a huge success story that Queensland has enforced a state-wide ban on single-use plastics and packaging. On Wednesday, September 1st, 2021, Queensland enforced the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2020 making plastic straws, cutlery, plates, bowls, stirrers, and polystyrene foam food containers and cups illegal to sell or manufacture across the state.
NICA celebrates this systematic change in retail which will very likely help to minimise human damage to the Catchment. We are all uncomfortably familiar with the images of wildlife trapped in plastic wrapping or damaged by straws. NICA contributes to minimising plastic waste through its River Watch program. Each year, an estimated 2 tonnes of waste are collected to be properly disposed of through the work of the NICA river team and still more is collected by the weeding communities. The River watch effort is now auditing all rubbish to identify point-source pollution and working with Plastics Free Noosa to influence behaviour at the point of purchase. This law will be a welcome change for those on River Watch and within the weeding communities as we will hope to see far less litter in our habitats. Congratulations Queensland on this excellent policy. We hope to see it emulated everywhere.
By Ellie Sherrard-Smith