In a hopeful turn for Australia’s environment, plastic pollution along the nation’s coastlines has dropped by more than a third over the past decade. According to new research from CSIRO, the national science agency, a 39% reduction in plastic waste was recorded across six major metropolitan regions. Even more encouraging, researchers found a 16% increase in surveyed areas with no plastic debris at all.
The study tracked more than 8,000 litter items across over 1,900 surveys, revealing that polystyrene and cigarette butts were the most commonly found waste. Still, key regions like Newcastle, Perth, and the Sunshine Coast saw notable improvements, which scientists attribute to growing public awareness and smarter waste management practices. With a national goal of reducing plastic waste entering the environment by 80% by 2030, researchers say this progress is a meaningful step forward.