The ACT's ambitious environmental goals are being undermined by a lack of infrastructure, leaving compostable packaging to rot in landfills. This is a missed opportunity to create a sustainable circular economy, as vendors and waste advocates struggle with the policy's limitations. The ACT government's commendable ban on single-use plastics at public events is being undermined by its failure to build the necessary recycling and composting facilities. This raises a deeper question about the effectiveness of environmental policies when the necessary infrastructure is lacking. The ACT's composting issue is a complex puzzle, with vendors, customers, and management all confused about what to do with compostable packaging. The market has tried to manage organic waste through private collection, but this is expensive and relies on shipping waste interstate, producing its own transport emissions. The ACT has a golden opportunity to compost waste at scale, but it requires a mix of carbon and nitrogen to successfully compost. The FOGO trial will provide a lot of nitrogen material, but the ACT needs to think and effort to make it work. The ACT government's spokesperson acknowledges the issue, stating that not all compostable packaging can be composted due to waterproof and non-stick coatings. This means that compostable packaging may end up in landfills as they cannot be composted. The ACT's environmental goals are being undermined by a lack of infrastructure, leaving compostable packaging to rot in landfills. This is a missed opportunity to create a sustainable circular economy, as vendors and waste advocates struggle with the policy's limitations. The ACT government needs to act quickly to build the necessary recycling and composting facilities to meet its environmental goals.
