Businesses, community groups and individuals in the Blue Mountains can help curb plastic pollution by having their say on the ‘NSW Plastics: Next Steps’ paper before public consultation closes in a fortnight.
Over the past 12 weeks, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) discussion paper has reached more than four million people across the state through mailouts and newsletters.
To date, more than 3,300 individuals have provided feedback through surveys and formal submissions.
The paper proposes further action to reduce problematic or unnecessary plastics, aiming to prevent 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste produced each year from causing harm to the environment and human health.
It identifies and addresses items and materials that:
- Are frequently littered or release microplastics into the environment;
- Contain harmful chemical additives; or
- Are regulated or proposed to be in other states and territories.
Plastic products like lollipop sticks, cigarette butts and highly littered takeaway food packaging are some of the items that could be redesigned or phased out.
The EPA will prepare a consultation report to inform the public of the results in the coming months.
To comment on ‘NSW Plastics: Next Steps’ by Sunday, 4 February 2024, visit https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Trish Doyle:
“In the Blue Mountains we want to see further protections put in place to safeguard the environment and human health for future generations.
“Our state alone generates around 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year and only 12 per cent of it is recycled.
“Your thoughts and ideas on what to do next with problematic plastics are crucial to creating meaningful change, so I urge all community members, businesses and organisations to take a moment to share your insights for a cleaner and greener tomorrow.
“Thank you to everyone who has already joined the conversation, and I hope many more will have their say to make a lasting difference for our environment and the wellbeing of our communities.”
