Plastics recycling initiatives

The ABC has published a radio podcast featuring Hub Leader Prof Veena about an Australian Government announcement on boosting funding for plastics recycling.

The funding announcement to help with the transformation of the waste and recycling sector in Australia builds on existing innovations including by Veena and the work commencing here at the new Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub.

In making the plastics announcement, Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the new round of funding "will fast-track access to new innovative waste technology, supporting a pipeline of plastic products ReMade in Australia", a campaign supported by Veena.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government is "committed to stopping harmful plastics from entering our oceans, choking up our waterways and destroying our marine life". The UNSW SMaRT Centre led by Veena recently published a report on plastic marine waste commissioned by the Government.

The plastics recycling funding boost comes hot on the heels of a new UN agreement to phase out waste plastic which Australia has just signed up to.

Listen to the ABC Radio podcast

Read the Government plastics announcement

Read the Government's UN plastics commitment announcement

UN Plastics Statement