Australian Think Tank Calls for ‘EU-Style’ Plastic Tax to Combat Waste

Australia Institute estimated that the government could raise nearly $1.5 billion a year with the tax while forcing companies to step up recycling efforts.

Recycled plastic bottles at the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority's recycling site in Edinburgh, Australia, on April 17, 2019. Brenton Edwards/AFP via Getty Images

An Australian think tank has called for the federal government to adopt an EU (Europe Union)-style plastic tax, claiming it would help the country deal with its plastic waste problem.

According to the Australia Institute, Australians consume around 3.8 million tonnes of plastic every year, with a projected annual consumption of 10 million tonnes by 2050.