Parliamentary Committees

Select Committee on Recycling of Soft Plastics and other Recyclable Material

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (21:57): I move:

That the report of the select committee be noted.

On 3 May 2023, I moved a motion in this place to establish a select committee to address the alarming, widespread concern at the inability to recycle soft plastics. I would like to remind the chamber of this important need for this committee, and I thank the chamber for their support. A special thankyou to the committee membership: my colleagues the Hon. Justin Hanson, the Hon. Michelle Lensink, the Hon. Tung Ngo, and the Hon. Rob Simms. I appreciate all of your genuine interest in this important issue, the time you have dedicated to understanding the problem and your willingness to collaborate.

After the collapse of REDCycle in November 2022, widespread stockpiling of soft plastics was reported across industry and communities. The situation was worsened by increased online shopping as a result of COVID-19 and the disastrous fire at a key partner. In response to the end of the only program in Australia that worked to address the issue, major supermarkets formed a task force to manage the stockpile and a plan to return to in-store collection.

A key element that we have focused on is the 2021 National Plastic Plan that reports that 70 billion pieces of soft plastic are used annually. With previous investments from state and federal governments in recycling modernisation, we knew that it was important to have a collaborative approach here in South Australia to ensure a long-term solution.

As a committee we knew that a successful recycling system required strong infrastructure for collection, sorting and processing and, most importantly, economic viability. Today, I can confidently affirm that this problem can be solved. This report can be implemented and will achieve results.

A total of 40 written submissions were received, seven hearings were held to receive oral evidence and four site visits were conducted. Thank you to all those who donated their time and expertise to the committee: your evidence was integral to the inquiry, and it is due to your efforts that I can stand here today in parliament to table this report.

Last week, on Wednesday 21 August, the committee members and secretarial staff finalised the inquiry. I thank the committee secretary, Ms Robyn Schutte, and research officer, Ms Mary Bloomfield, for their assistance. Our journey towards effective recycling began by considering the redesign of soft plastic products. The committee has emphasised the need for a whole-of-cycle design approach. It is essential that producers and manufacturers take responsibility for soft plastics they introduce to the market. This means rethinking of design, improving traceability and implementing the significant recommendations that this committee has put forward.

We advocate for a phasing out of certain polymers, adopting a robust product stewardship scheme and promoting the commonwealth government's national framework for recycled content traceability guideline. There is broad support for a new soft plastics recycling scheme here in South Australia, and we have seen promising results from the Curby trials that have occurred across the state. However, to truly make a difference we must expand kerbside services and significantly improve our recycling infrastructure. This means investing in more mechanical and advanced recycling facilities, and ensuring that businesses have incentives to use collected soft plastics efficiently.

It is also crucial to support material recovery facilities in managing increased volumes and types of soft plastic waste. The soft plastics task force is spearheading new trails in South Australia, and the committee recommends that Green Industries SA follow-up on these initiatives and support the task force where possible.

It is vital that we reintroduce return-to-store services for soft plastics, which were formerly provided by REDcycle, to ensure seamless and effective recycling processes. The recent co-contribution by the federal government to Recycling Plastics Australia is welcomed. However, to step up and scale up operations effectively in South Australia the South Australian government must invest in end markets. Without viable end markets our recycling efforts will fall short.

We advocate for the redevelopment of a whole-of-state-government procurement policy that supports waste reduction strategies and stimulates end markets for recycling. The Minister for Climate, Environment and Water must acknowledge that government investment is needed in end market solutions for this to be a sustainable industry.

Our efforts to reduce plastic waste extend beyond recycling. The Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 has been instrumental in cutting down single-use plastics. I thank the previous Liberal government, in particular former minister for environment, the Hon. David Speirs MP, who paved the way for a reduction in plastic in South Australia.

We must continue to investigate further bans in single-use plastics and expand our efforts to include the commercial industry and agricultural sector as well. Providing incentives for innovation in compostable products will also play a crucial role in reducing the amount of soft plastic waste going into landfill. Education and community engagement are also key components of our strategy and recommendations that have been put forward.

The South Australian government must collaborate with and support local governments to raise awareness about soft plastic waste and the importance of waste reduction. The implementation of the 2025 national packaging targets must be transparent, and we must keep the public informed about the process and outcomes.

Finally, it is essential that the commonwealth states and territories continue to collaborate on packaging regulation and national environment protection measures. Achieving the 2025 national packaging targets requires a united effort, an ongoing commitment from all levels of government. This challenge is not confined to one sector or region. It requires a multifaceted response from local, state and national levels. Our commitment to addressing this issue can be realised through the leadership of the South Australian government and the development of a comprehensive soft plastics waste strategy.

Tackling the issue of soft plastics waste is a complex but achievable goal. It requires leadership, innovation and a collaborative approach. Tonight, I call on Premier Malinauskas and Minister Close to take this report seriously and to implement these sensible, well-designed, bipartisan recommendations.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.