The NSW Government has allocated $1.25 million to fund three research projects aimed at addressing plastic pollution and advancing solutions for waste management.
The initiative, part of the Plastic Research Program, seeks to develop new methods for detecting microplastics, identifying harmful chemicals, and improving plastic recycling processes.
The funding comes amid growing concerns over Sydney’s landfill capacity, which is projected to be exhausted by 2030 without new waste and recycling measures.
“NSW is facing a landfill crisis. New solutions are needed and needed quickly,” said Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe.
“This investment into cutting edge research will help uncover hidden chemicals in soils and everyday fabrics, to assist in finding better solutions to get rid of them.”
The three selected projects focus on distinct aspects of plastic waste management.
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), in collaboration with CSIRO, will study methods for collecting and analysing microplastics in soil, compost, and treated sewage.
Another project, led by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) with CSIRO, will develop tools to identify and prioritise hazardous chemicals in plastics found in agricultural soils.
The third initiative, spearheaded by the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures, will examine plastic-based fabrics such as polyester to track harmful chemicals in new and recycled textiles.
Each project will receive between $308,000 and $493,000 in funding, with research expected to be completed by May 2027.
Findings from these studies will inform future policies and regulations to improve plastic waste management in the state.
The Minns Labor Government has positioned the initiative as a step toward a circular economy, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions.
“Hidden chemicals in plastic waste make recycling harder,” Sharpe noted, underscoring the importance of the research in addressing these challenges.
The Plastic Research Program aims to place NSW at the forefront of tackling plastic pollution, with hopes that the funded projects will contribute to long-term improvements in waste reduction and recycling efforts.
