Australia recycles just 18% of plastic packaging and will not reach 2025 target, review finds

Environmental campaigners say industry-led approach is failing and stronger laws are needed

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Australia recycles just 18% of plastic packaging, according to the latest annual figures, and will only get two-thirds of the way to its national target of 70% by 2025, an official review has said.

Plastics campaigners said the review by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) – the not-for-profit group charged with coordinating the national targets – showed the current industry-led approach was failing and stronger laws were needed.

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