business - 2026-07-03

Sophie Scamps backs pollution levy on plastic producers after Warriewood waste forum

Source: www.northernbeachesadvocate.com.au

Federal MP for Mackellar Dr Sophie Scamps has outlined a plan to make plastics manufacturers pay a pollution tax, using a recent Warriewood forum to argue that communities should not be left carrying the cost of plastic waste. The issue matters locally because much of the rubbish reaching beaches and waterways starts on land, and councils are already facing growing pressure to fund clean-up and stormwater upgrades.

Federal MP for Mackellar Dr Sophie Scamps has outlined a plan to make plastics manufacturers pay a pollution tax, using a recent Warriewood forum to argue that communities should not be left carrying the cost of plastic waste. The issue matters locally because much of the rubbish reaching beaches and waterways starts on land, and councils are already facing growing pressure to fund clean-up and stormwater upgrades. Dr Scamps held the Waves Without Waste Expo at the new Warriewood Community Centre on 13 June. The event was billed as a way to inform locals about reducing plastic waste, but it also became a platform for a broader policy argument: that recycling on its own is not dealing with the scale of the problem, and that stronger federal action is needed. An expert panel at the event brought together Sutherland Shire councillor and filmmaker Kal Glanznig, solo sailor and climate advocate Lisa Blair OAM, and The Australia Institute's Director of Circular Economy and Waste, Nina Gbor. Their discussion centred on the environmental impact of plastic pollution and the low recovery rate for packaging waste. According to figures raised during the panel, only 12 per cent of nearly 1.3...