Most people would agree that plastic Pollution is a huge issue that needs to be dealt with immediately. Microplastics have been found on Mount Everest, in seafood, soil, human and marine animal organs, and human placentas. Furthermore, there are countless videos and studies that show how larger pieces of plastic from fishing gear and single-use items have wreaked havoc on marine environments. Many individuals have been making changes in their own lives, such as swapping out single-use plastic items for their reusable alternatives, however, it’s vital to keep the pressure on large corporations that are responsible for the majority of plastic Pollution on the planet.

A recent government review found that Australia will most likely fail to meet all of its targets to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. The targets, set for 2025, included making all packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable as well as phasing out unnecessary single-use plastic packaging. Companies that earn over $5 million dollars each year are supposed to comply with these packaging targets. They can choose to be regulated by The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) or states and territories under national laws from 2011. Unfortunately, a review of the Australian Packaging Covenant found that the states and territories failed to enforce these laws. Thus, as WWF-Australia stated, the lack of regulations created “a system characterised by free-riders, where brands can choose to voluntarily meet APCO targets or be governed by regulations that aren’t enforced.”

These large corporations need to take responsibility for the impact that their actions have on Earth and its inhabitants. Sign this petition to urge the Federal Environmental Minister Sussan Ley to enforce stricter rules surrounding the plastic reduction targets for large companies in Australia!

To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:

• Ban Single-Use Plastics to Save Our Oceans and Marine Animals
• Ban Single-Use Plastic; Microplastics Have Now Been Found in Antarctica
• Keep Pollution Out of the Ocean
• Stop Ghost Fishing Gear From Killing Hundreds of Marine Animals a Year

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on iTunes — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!