Plastic Waste in Australia
10
Figure 2: Australian plastic consumption per capita (kilograms per person)
Source:
Australian Plastic Flows and Fates Study 2020
–
21
(2022); ABS
National, state and territory
population Australia, estimated resident population (Financial year or end of year population)
51
The causes of increased plastic consumption are varied. First, there has been an exponential
increase in the quantity of plastic products, partly driven by the proliferation of new
packaging types and single-use plastics.
52
Second, plastics have come to be incorporated
into a range of new products. To pick up on just one example, synthetic fibres made from
plastic are now estimated to make up 60% of all clothing.
53
As clothing production doubled
between 2000 and 2015, so too did plastics consumption through synthetic feedstocks.
54
Third, fossil fuel feedstocks remain far cheaper than recyclable plastic feedstocks, meaning
that there is little or no economic incentive for manufacturers to move to these more
sustainable options.
55
And last, there has been little regulation of plastic production,
meaning that the industry has continued to grow largely without restriction.
56
This trend in
consumption shows no sign of abating.
51
DCCEEW (2022)
Australian Plastics Flows and Fates Study 2020
–
21: National report,
p 2; ABS (2023)
National, state and territory population
, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/national-
state-and-territory-population/jun-2023
52
Minderoo Foundation (2021)
The Plastic Waste Makers Index
, p 21
53
UNEP (n.d.)
Fashion’s tiny hidden secret
, https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/fashions-tiny-
hidden-secret
54
Ellen Macarthur Foundation (2017)
A new textiles e
conomy: Redesigning fashion’s future
, p 18,
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy
55
Minderoo Foundation (2021) The Plastic Waste Makers Index, p 21
56
Ibid
.
92
96
100
104
109 112
114 116 118
123 125
126 128 130
133
120 120
136 136 135
148