OPINION: Doing the right thing
Australia is facing a waste management crisis. Litter – visible everywhere from plastic-choked oceans to degraded bushland – is just the tip of the iceberg. Each year about 75 million tonnes of waste is generated across the country, a figure that continues to rise alongside population growth. The National waste and resource recovery report 2024 reveals only 12 per cent of plastics produced in Australia are recovered, while an estimated 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste leak into local marine ecosystems annually, causing severe harm to biodiversity.
In the National Waste Policy Action Plan 2024 the federal government outlines a 2030 target to reduce total waste generated by 10 per cent per person. In the meantime, waste continues to accumulate, having a detrimental impact on wildlife, biodiversity and the climate.
Stronger policies, a greater emphasis on circular systems and a substantial cultural shift are urgently needed. Achieving this requires bold leadership, rooted in the simple yet powerful guiding principle of ‘Do the Right Thing’.
Doing the right thing for the environment means adopting evidence-based solutions. According to CSIRO, revolutionising packaging and waste systems is key. This includes tackling waste at its source and prioritising circular systems, which can reduce carbon emissions, divert waste from landfill, boost GDP and even lower the cost of living.
Expanding government bans on single-use plastics, introducing incentives for corporate circular practices, and investing in improved recycling infrastructure will be critical to achieving these outcomes.
Individuals can also have a meaningful impact by cleaning up litter, making sustainable purchases and disposing of waste responsibly. Community-led initiatives encouraging Australians to ‘leave only footprints’ demonstrate the power of small actions in protecting biodiversity and preserving our natural environment.
Doing the right thing is an obvious yet often overlooked approach, hindered by convenience, entrenched habits and limited awareness. If this shared ethos was embraced by governments, businesses, community leaders and individuals alike, widespread community action could be inspired. The Biodiversity Council’s 2024 Biodiversity Concerns Report reveals 83 per cent of Australians are at least moderately concerned about biodiversity issues. Consistent education around practical solutions will encourage Australians, many of whom are environmentalists at heart, to take further action. These actions contribute to a necessary cultural shift that acts as a catalyst for aligning policy with societal values.
Launched in 1979, ‘Do the Right Thing’ was a widely recognised anti-litter campaign throughout the 1980s and ’90s. It’s regarded as one of Australia’s most successful behavioural-change initiatives. Its simplicity, broad reach and strong public engagement effectively drove positive environmental behaviour, significantly reducing litter rates. This proven approach demonstrates how clear, relatable messaging can inspire action and be adapted to address today’s pressing environmental challenges.
A long-term vision is for this ethos to become as ingrained in Australian culture as the concept of a ‘fair go’. This powerful principle has the potential to build a legacy that future generations will take pride in. By acting with purpose, we can make ‘Do the Right Thing’ a guiding mantra in our daily lives. As the Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius once said, “Just that you do the right thing. The rest doesn’t matter.”
Laura Carrazza is the head of community programs at Keep Australia Beautiful, specialising in education and behaviour change to promote environmental sustainability.
