Soft plastic recycling: Australian companies fear export licenses will undermine domestic efforts and investments

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.

Austsing manager Clive Townsend and Plastec Recycling director Steve Rawson. Credit: Joe Armao

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 sati