This consultation draft seeks public input on the proposed next stage of New South Wales' Plastics program and recommends ways to reduce single-use, unnecessary and problematic plastic items and materials over the next decade. 

The target materials are those plastics that are highly littered, release microplastics, contain harmful chemicals, or are regulated in other Australian states and territories.

To effectively reduce and manage these materials, the draft proposes actions in three key areas:

1. the reduction of highly littered plastic items in the environment 
2. the removal of harmful chemicals from plastics and prevent the release of microplastics into the environment 
3. alignment with other states and territories in Australia.

Actions include:

• phasing out the supply of problematic or unnecessary plastic items
• setting design standards for the way an item must be designed, made, tested, packaged or labelled
• making brand owners responsible for regulated products across their life cycle, from product design to recycling or disposal.

Consultation closed Monday 4 November 2024.