By Hannah Kennelly

Copyright smh

Australian recycling companies have raised concerns over the government’s decision to consider licenses to export shredded soft plastic overseas, saying it undermines the country’s domestic recycling efforts and investments into local infrastructure.

Australia used to send much of its waste overseas, however following China’s Sword policy, the government introduced the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act in 2020 and implemented staged export restrictions and regulations to promote a circular economy.

However on July 31 this year, Australian recycling companies received an email from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), saying the department was satisfied it was “appropriate to consider licence applications to export shredded flexible waste plastic”.

Clive Townsend said he was shocked to receive the email and surprised there had been no industry consultation. Townsend works as a sales manager for Austsing – a private soft plastics recycling facility based in Pakenham, Victoria which converts commercial soft plastic waste into recycled pellets.