Fast Food Packaging Littering Facts & Statistics Australia
A total of 6.74 million tonnes of packaging waste was generated in Australia between 2020 and 2021. The packaging is dumped within a few minutes of its usage. This creates significant plastic pollution, overflowing landfills, and a massive carbon footprint.
The food and beverage sector is the main cause of the packaging problem. It uses excessive packaging for single servings and single-use plastics, including bags and cardboard boxes, for product handling.
Plastic packaging waste destroys ocean wildlife and ecosystems when plastic enters oceans and waterways. Waste also leads to landfills overflowing and draining natural resources.
Knowing types and quantities of waste generated can create more efficient rubbish collection routes and improved use of recycling centres. Establishing these figures, individuals and societies can be motivated to implement waste reduction systems and enhance recycling practices.
How Big Is the Fast Food Packaging Problem in Australia?
The issue of fast food packaging in Australia is also quite significant. It contributes heavily to the nation's problem with single-use plastic waste. Australians were in 2023 estimated to have discarded an astonishing 1.9 million tonnes of packaging waste yearly, enough to fill a big cricket field nine times.
Additionally, the quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and the fast food industry also contribute to the waste problem. The fast food chains are responsible for 44% of all single-use plastics, mainly from takeout containers and beverage bottles. They primarily use single-use materials, such as straws, cups, plates, and cutlery. Meanwhile, Australian supermarkets contribute 75% (2.96 billion) of lightweight plastics.
Common Fast Food Packaging Waste Materials
Fast food packaging waste is composed of a variety of materials. Paper, plastic, foam, and aluminium are the usual materials for wrapping, serving, and displaying food items.
Plastic Packaging
Plastic is widely used in fast food packaging due to its strength and versatility. Examples of plastic packaging waste are plastic wrapping and trays for ready-to-eat foods.
Paper and Cardboard Packaging
Cardboard and paper are commonly used in fast food packaging, such as cardboard boxes and corrugated cardboard.
Foam and Aluminium Packaging
Foam, typically polystyrene, is another material used in fast food packaging. Sadly, polystyrene items, like some yogurt and chocolate containers, are difficult to recycle, even if recyclable materials are supplied. Aluminium is also used and is commonly seen in food cans.
Consumer Spending on Eating Out and Takeaway
Australians increased their consumption of cafes, restaurants, and hotels by 72% over the past four years, though the growth rate eased to 4.3% in 2024. Despite the cost-of-living challenges, nearly one-third of Australians (32%) admit to overspending on eating out or takeout.
Most Common Types of Fast Food Litter Found
Fast food packaging is a primary contributor to littering Australian streets and public spaces, and several materials. It causes environmental problems because they are widely used and breaks down slowly.
The following are the primary types of fast food waste in Australia:
Plastic Straws and Cups
Australians discard approximately 10 million single-use plastic straws per day, equivalent to around 3.5 billion straws annually. The straws are usually applied for only a short period, approximately 15 to 30 minutes, before being discarded.
Styrofoam Containers
Styrofoam containers for drinks and food are also a problem in fast food trash due to their longevity in the environment. The containers have been of great concern, with polystyrene fast food containers constituting the biggest percentage (34%) of the recovered polystyrene.
Cardboard Burger Boxes
Paper and cardboard are typically used for fast food packaging. Although they are easy to recycle, their recyclability can be highly reduced through food residue or plastic coating contamination. Cardboard normally breaks down in approximately 2 to 5 months in wet conditions.
Chip Packets
Chip packets and lolly bags ranked within the top 10 most common findings, constituting 4% of rubbish collected, in Clean Up Australia's 2022 National Rubbish Report. Soft plastics, or chip packets, were the most common individual item found, contributing 18% of the total. Soft plastics constitute 31.8% of plastic litter, which itself comprises 81% of the surveyed litter, in schools.
Environmental Impacts of Fast Food Waste
Packaging waste causes land and ocean pollution and takes considerable time to decompose, worsening the issue.
Land and Marine Pollution
Plastic and polystyrene have also emerged as serious environmental problems with far-reaching implications. Approximately 80% of the marine trash comes from land-based sources compared to ships or shore-based plants.
Rain and wind may carry garbage from roads, parks, and streets into storm drains, rivers, and the ocean. Plastic forms the largest and most damaging proportion of marine debris, accounting for 85% of ocean trash.
Wildlife Harm through Ingestion or Entanglement
Animals usually mistake plastic waste for food. Marine creatures that eat them usually die of starvation, malnutrition, and damage to their digestive system. Over 100,000 marine animals die annually due to plastic pollution, with over 350 species having been documented to have been entangled in marine litter globally.
Blocked Drains and Urban Cleanliness Challenges
Rain and wind can wash or blow away discarded garbage on the streets, parks, and roads into storm drains. This trash will find its way into creeks, rivers, and oceans, and can clog drains, resulting in flooding.
Extended Decomposition Times for Specific Materials
Decomposition depends on the temperature, water, and oxygen levels. Landfills lack sufficient oxygen, which slows down the decomposition process. This results in much slower decomposition compared to when exposed on the surface.
What Are Australian Councils Doing About It?
The local authorities play a vital role in handling litter, allocating substantial resources mainly for collecting litter and maintaining clean bins.
Local Government Litter Reduction Strategies
Georges River Catchment Litter Prevention Strategy (NSW)
This one-year initiative, launched in March 2022, aims to address the issue and develop a sustainable strategy for the Georges River catchment.
With support from the NSW EPA, it aims to reduce overall litter by 60% by 2030 and plastic litter by 30% by 2025. Moreover, it determines high-litter concentration areas, analyses successful prevention methods, and defines the responsibilities of local councils and community groups..
Local Government Litter Audit (LGLA)
LGLA provides extensive information about litter, brands, and clean-up events at audit locations to help councils make well-informed decisions.
It helps local government areas create litter management plans, assess the impact of infrastructure, and set budgets for each site. Additionally, it tracks local educational initiatives, partners with businesses to promote better waste management practices, and informs residents to encourage long-term behavioural changes.
Waste Levy Funding
The NSW EPA's "Waste Less, Recycle More" program helps fund initiatives such as the Georges River Catchment Litter Prevention Strategy.
Packaging Bans
Different states and territories have passed legislation on single-use plastic items to tackle litter problems.
Victoria: Starting February 1, 2023, the state banned the use of single-use plastic straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, plastic cotton bud sticks, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) containers for food and beverages.
New South Wales: NSW started its ban on using lightweight plastic shopping bags in June 2022. It was then followed by another ban on single-use plastics, including plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery. In November 2022, the state also prohibited using expanded polystyrene food containers.
South Australia: As of March 1, 2021, the sale and distribution of certain single-use plastic items, such as pizza savers and straws, have been prohibited.
Queensland: Since September 1, 2021, the state has disallowed single-use plastic straws, cutlery, and plates.
Western Australia: Western Australia will prohibit the sale and distribution of moulded or cut expanded plastic packaging, such as EPS, EPE, and EPP, beginning on July 1, 2025. This restriction will affect products manufactured on or after March 1, 2025.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT): In July 2022, the ACT prohibited the use of single-use plastics and started restricting all plastic shopping bags in January 2024.
Education Campaigns
Education and awareness campaigns play a crucial role in reducing littering behaviour.
Don't Be a Tosser! (NSW): This anti-litter campaign, which focuses on public education, has been running since 2014 under the Litter Prevention Strategy.
Do the Right Thing (KAB): This campaign reminds Australians of practical ways to refuse, rot, reduce, reuse, recycle, and restore. It also urges Australians to learn from each other about responsible waste practice.
Roadside Litter Prevention Project (WA): This program promotes the proper disposal of roadside litter by distributing free information and materials, including compostable car litter bags.
Litter Less Campaign: The campaign attempts to raise awareness of littering on the local environment, improve school waste management, and empower young people.
Bin Your Butts: This is an innovative cigarette butt recycling program that focuses on butt litter in shopping zones and aims to reduce the most frequently littered item in Australia.
Takeaway Waste Audits and Litter Hotspots
Research is used to identify litter hotspots and determine how land use influences trash, which then influences waste management.
CSIRO Research: A global clean-up analysis incorporating data from Australia identifies litter hotspots on each of the world's populated continents.
Coastal Trash: Coastal trash is a significant environmental issue, with plastic accounting for approximately 84% of the trash on Australian beaches. A study of over 20 million pieces of trash collected during ten years of beach clean-ups reported that 48% of sea trash originated from onshore sources, such as littering. Most trash is found on the east coast of Australia.
The Role of Individuals & Businesses in Reducing Litter
Individuals can significantly reduce litter by adopting considerate consumption and waste management habits.
Reduction in Use of Single-Use Plastics
Bring your reusables with you: Carry reusable shopping bags, refillable water bottles, coffee mugs, and food containers to avoid single-use plastics.
Select unpacked or lightly packaged items: Buy items that have minimal packaging or are in bulk to reduce waste.
Decline unnecessary items: Decline single-use items such as straws, lids, napkins, and spare bags if they are not required.
Use deposit return schemes: Participate in initiatives that provide refunds for taking back bottles and cans and promoting proper disposal.
Proper Disposal of Waste
No littering: Dispose of food wrapping, beverage containers, newspapers, and other possible litter in designated rubbish or recycling bins. In the absence of a bin, dispose of your waste at home.
Use a litter bag: Carry a litter bag in your vehicle to collect litter and get rid of it properly at the end destination.
Secure waste at home: Ensure garbage and recycling bags are secured, and trash cans have lids to prevent loose materials from being blown away.
Recycle correctly: Talk to family and friends about recycling to reduce the amount of trash that ends up as litter. Check to see what CAN and CANNOT be recycled in your community.
Join a cleanup effort: Volunteer for local cleanup activities, such as stream cleanups, to help remove existing litter from public spaces.
Teach others: Educate children about the importance of disposing of trash correctly and how litter impacts wildlife and the environment.
Report litter: If you see excessive littering or fly-tipping, report it to your local council or the appropriate authorities.
Businesses also play an enormous role in consumer behaviour and can implement several strategies to reduce packaging waste.
Composting or Recyclable Packaging
Less packaging: Reduce the quantity or quality of packaging materials used for products bought or sold. This can also contribute to business efficiency and cost reduction.
Reusable alternatives: Make reusable packaging a popular choice by offering rewards like discounts for the use of personal cups or bags.
Choose recyclable/compostable materials: Prioritise packaging materials that are compostable, biodegradable, or readily recyclable.
Clear labelling: Label packaging clearly with recycling guidance to help consumers recycle items properly. Use standard terms for "biodegradable," "compostable," and "recyclable."
Innovative design: Explore packaging designs that dissolve in water or easily break down into recyclable components.
Offering Adequate Waste Facilities and Encouraging Responsible Disposal
Enough bins: Clearly label trash, recycling, and ashtray bins in high-traffic areas, especially at entrances, exits, and restaurants.
Maintenance routine: Ensure bins are emptied regularly to prevent overflow, which can lead to littering.
Employee involvement: Inform and educate workers on waste management procedures and engage them in activities to prevent anti-littering and illegal dumping.
Signage: Businesses must place signs encouraging waste disposal to emphasise the environmental impacts of litter, and direct customers to the bins.
Disposing of rubbish responsibly can significantly reduce cleanup costs while benefiting communities in many ways. The practices minimise environmental damage, conserve natural resources, and enhance economic growth. They also improve public health and wellness and foster sustainable use.
How All Gone Rubbish Removals Helps Keep Streets Litter-Free
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Fast Food Packaging Litter Statistics (Snapshot Summary)
Plastics continue to be the most common type of litter in Australia and make up a high proportion of all rubbish picked up.
Overall Plastic Composition: Clean Up Australia's latest Litter Report reports that plastics comprised 81% of all litter.
Soft Plastics: The FY24 Litter Report reveals soft plastics made up 31.8% of all litter picked up, remaining the largest category of litter.
Hard Plastics: Hard plastics made up 28% of the litter surveyed.
Beverage Bottles: Nationally, beverage containers comprised 14.5% of all litter counted in FY23, down from 17.3% in 2022.
Clean Up Australia FY23 National Litter Report Fact Sheet Snapshot
Source: Tomra Clean Away
Council Costs of Cleaning Fast Food Waste
Australian local councils spent $17 billion on it during 2018-19. Public litter bins and communal area waste collection are among the substantial expenditures at $1.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Disposing of non-hazardous waste in a landfill typically costs $85 to $219 per tonne.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the most littered fast food item in Australia?
Packaging from fast foods, such as food containers and cutlery, is a common cause of litter problems in Australia.
2. How long does fast food packaging take to decompose?
Food packaging takes about 60 to 180 days to decompose, based on its material.
3. Is takeaway packaging recyclable in Australia?
Some takeaway packaging is recyclable in Australia, such as clear plastic containers made of PP plastic. However, it also depends on the material type and if it’s clean or not, including local councils’ rules.
4. Do councils fine people for littering fast food waste?
Based on state and local legislation, Australian councils can fine residents and businesses for littering fast food packaging.
5. What’s the best way to dispose of fast food packaging responsibly?
Responsible fast food packaging disposal primarily involves recycling, composting, or reusing, which varies with material and local facilities.
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