Global Plastic Policy Reviews

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When referring to any of the results of our analysis and/or its concept and design, please cite us accordingly:
Global Plastics Policy Centre (2024) March A., Salam, S., Evans, T., Hilton, J., Fletcher, S. (editors). Global Plastics Policy Review. Revolution Plastics Institute, University of Portsmouth.

Australian Ghost Nets Initiative

View the policy document
Contribution to reducing plastic pollution:
Effectiveness of meeting own objectives:
Strength of evidence: Moderate Available Evidence
Reviewed under framework: Yes

This policy is aimed at removal of ghost nets from the environment. Ghost nets are damaging marine life in Australia, but 90% are from other countries. The areas where they collect are very remote with no basic waste collection or management. The initiative funds indigenous rangers to collect, record data and tag larger nets that can not be retrieved by the rangers. The indigenous people make art works from the retrieved nets which sell for large sums. Equipment is being supplied by the government to help collect and recycle the nets. Waste collection is a problem as the area is very remote but infrastructure is being set up with $5 million provided by the government.

(Reviewed in Jan 2022)

Year:

  • 2018

Instrument type:

Voluntary or legally binding:

Scale:

Implementation context:

Point in plastic cycle:

Policy Type:

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We are confident in our research, however, not all evidence is made publicly available which may affect the outcome of the reviews. Let us know if you have research or evidence that can contribute to our analysis, or a policy you think would be valuable to review!

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Our methods

Through an analytical framework, we've reviewed over 100 plastic policies. These reviews determine the effectiveness of policies in reducing plastic pollution and we offer recommendations in light of this evidence, to enhance future policy making. You can find out more about our methods on our methods page.

Methods

Guidance

In light of our findings, we've created targeted guidance for Policy Makers, Citizens and Businesses.

Think we've missed something?

We are confident in our research, however, not all evidence is made publicly available which may affect the outcome of the reviews. Let us know if you have research or evidence that can contribute to our analysis, or a policy you think would be valuable to review!

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