The World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) has ranked Western Australia first place in its 2021 scorecard for Plastic Free July.
The ranking highlights the success of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s Plan for Plastics.
Minister for Environment and Climate Action, Amber-Jade Sanderson said the Plan for Plastics had been fast-tracked by four years and would see single-use plastics, including bowls, plates, cutlery, straws and polystyrene food containers, banned by December.
“The second stage of the Plan, which starts in December 2022, will see further single-use plastic products phased out, including takeaway coffee cups and lids,” Ms Sanderson said.
“Fast-tracking the Plan for Plastics will save hundreds of millions of single-use plastic items from becoming litter or landfill,” she said.
Ms Sanderson said single-use plastics were a scourge on the State’s environment and its native wildlife, and everyone in the State had a role to play in reducing the waste during Plastic Free July.
“Our fast-tracked plan will prevent millions of tonnes of plastics ending up as litter and in our oceans,” she said.
“Thank you to WWF-Australia and No Plastic in Nature Policy Manager, Kate Noble for this honour, which confirms Western Australia is number one in the country for tackling plastic pollution,” Ms Sanderson said.
