CQU Bundaberg Accounting lecturer Stacey Cunningham has just returned from Brisbane after an invitation to participate in developing a voluntary Industry Waste Reduction Agreement for the plastics sector.

Ms Cunningham is completing her Phd studies on investigating corporate environmental disclosure practices following the introduction of the Corporations Act and the National Pollutant Inventory.

Ms Cunningham said she was invited to share her information and discuss the results of a study completed last year in collaboration with the Bundaberg City Council.

The study examined the opportunities for agricultural plastic waste recycling in the Bundaberg and surrounding region and showed that an agricultural plastics recycling operation could be financially viable within the Bundaberg district.

“Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland and the plastics and chemical industry are attempting to address the issue of agricultural plastic waste disposal and recycling. At present over 860 tonnes of plastic mulch and trickle tubing are used in the Bundaberg region annually, this is a major economic and environmental cost,” Ms Cunningham said.

“The issue must be addressed in order to reduce the impact on non-renewable resources, whilst at the same time we need to look at alternatives for an industry which is crucial for not just the Wide Bay- Burnett region but other small crop areas throughout the state and Australia.

“No reduction in usage of these products is expected in the foreseeable future and as such, alternative disposal options need to be identified to increase sustainability of the fruit and vegetable growing industry and to reduce the impact on the environment from the current disposal options.”