Fewer plastic wrappers and bottle tops are turning up on Australian beaches, with coastal litter down by more than one-third in a decade.
A 16 percent jump in areas completely free from plastic waste has also been recorded by the national science agency.
The CSIRO study surveyed inland, riverine, and coastal habitats across six urban regions, recording lower levels of plastic pollution in Newcastle, Perth, and the Sunshine Coast.
Hobart and Port Augusta recorded more litter than before, however.
CSIRO senior research scientist Denise Hardesty was heartened by an overall 39 percent reduction in plastic waste across Australia’s metropolitan coastlines.
“Although there are still areas for concern, it’s exciting to see a significant decrease in plastic pollution as people around the country are becoming more aware of the harmful effects of plastic waste on people, communities, and wildlife,” Hardesty said.
Food packaging and other plastics remain the most prevalent source of rubbish on beaches, and flexible plastics are particularly dangerous for wildlife.
The surveys help identify hot spots and inform waste management responses, CSIRO research scientist Steph Brodie said.
“We found that areas with intensive land use and socio-economically disadvantaged areas tended to have higher levels of debris,” Brodie said.
Drink cans were the most common item found in Hobart, food wrappers in Port Augusta and cigarette butts in Newcastle, Perth, and the Sunshine Coast.
Tasmania will launch a container deposit scheme in coming months, offering small refunds for certain types of bottles, cans, and cartons, like those already proving effective in a number of states and territories.
CSIRO has a goal of reducing plastic waste by 80 percent through its research and work with partners.
Surveying by not-for-profit conservation group Clean Up Australia found plastic was still the biggest polluter, making up more than 80 percent of all litter collected by volunteers in the 2024 financial year.
Most states and territories have been phasing out single-use plastics.
