| Abstract |
Problems relating to plastic pollution have gained increasing attention over the last decade. In Australia, a number of government and industry initiatives, such as the prohibition on the sale of certain plastics, have sought to respond to growing community concern regarding the negative environmental effects associated with plastic production and use. However, regulation has been haphazard and, as a result, has contributed to confusion and regulatory overlap (or underlap) that contradicts the central goal of minimising the negative environmental effects of plastic. While plastic pollution has gained a great deal of attention, there has been very little legal scholarship in Australia exploring regulation. This article seeks to address this gap in legal scholarship by comprehensively analysing the different approaches to plastic regulation across various jurisdictions in Australia. The analysis suggests that the scattered regulatory approach, as well as half-hearted co-ordination, prevent the successful implementation in Australia of a circular economy for plastics: one of the key goals of regulatory regimes across Australia. |