A routine urine test for plastic chemicals has sent ripples of concern through Kal Glanznig, a seemingly healthy and active 25-year-old. The results weren’t just a confirmation of plastic chemicals in his system; they indicated a level higher than the average American. The most alarming finding was the presence of phthalates, a chemical directly linked to infertility. “I want to have a family one day,” Glanznig shared, the revelation leaving him feeling winded.
A passionate advocate for the ocean, Glanznig is no stranger to raising awareness. He speaks at global climate conferences, has been elected to Sydney’s Sutherland Shire Council, and for the past 18 months, has been deeply immersed in investigating Australia’s plastic pollution crisis. “Yes, it’s polluting our beaches, but we’re also losing a war on our own health every single day because of it,” he states emphatically.
The Battle Against Plastic Pollution
Glanznig’s dedication to combating plastic pollution began in his teenage years. A water polo training session was unceremoniously cancelled when the pool became inundated with plastic and rubbish. This incident ignited a journey that has led him to produce a documentary, “The Plastic Country,” slated for release later this year.
As part of his documentary project, Glanznig travelled to East Arnhem Land, engaging with First Nations communities to understand the extent of pollution impacting their remote beaches. “The impact on country is quite distressing,” he reported. His investigations have also taken him to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, where he met with veterinarians confronting the grim reality of turtles admitted with stomachs tragically full of plastic waste. Glanznig highlights the disconcerting familiarity of the brands found on this plastic debris, noting, “We can think, ‘oh, it’s an overseas problem,’ but all of the plastic that we’re going through… was literally plastic that I’d be like, ‘oh, I know that brand.'”
Australia’s Troubling Plastic Footprint
The scale of Australia’s plastic consumption is substantial. A 2022 report commissioned for the Department of Climate Change, Energy and the Environment revealed that Australians generate a staggering 147 kilograms of single-use plastic waste per person annually. This figure suggests that Australians use approximately three times more plastic than the global average.
“We have this strong connection to the environment and the ocean, but [we’ve] actually grown to be the second-largest producer of plastic waste in the world,” Glanznig observes. In an effort to address this, the federal government, in partnership with industry, introduced national packaging targets in 2018. These ambitious goals aimed to ensure that 100 per cent of plastic packaging was recyclable or reusable by 2025, with a parallel objective of recycling 50 per cent of all packaging by the same year.
However, recent government data indicates a significant shortfall. In the 2023-24 financial year, only a mere 14 per cent of plastic was successfully recovered through recycling and energy production, falling far short of the set targets.
The Hidden Health Costs of Plastic
Plastic, a material derived from fossil fuels like oil and gas, is composed of approximately 16,000 different chemicals. Worryingly, the health impacts of most of these chemicals on humans remain largely untested.
Dr. Nick Chartres, a Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, confirms that studies have established a link between plastic exposure and an increased risk of various health conditions. “There’s lots of authoritative reviews and really good evidence around the harms these chemicals cause to human and also other living systems,” he explained.
Among the chemicals of concern are PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment. Phthalates, on the other hand, are dubbed “everywhere” chemicals because they are ubiquitous in plastic products, serving to make them soft and flexible.
Recent media attention has focused on the prevalence of microplastics in the human body. While some studies estimating these quantities have been questioned for methodological flaws, Dr. Chartres stresses that the broader scientific understanding of plastic’s impact on human health is robust. “If we take a step back and look at what the bigger issue here is, we have good evidence on these chemicals, we have great evidence that these absolutely enter our body,” he asserted. “There’s enough evidence here to be concerned.”
The Urgent Need for Mandatory Action
Both Kal Glanznig and Dr. Nick Chartres are vocal proponents of immediate and decisive action on plastic pollution. The development of a global plastics treaty, intended to cap plastic production, unfortunately stalled last year due to opposition from several nations, including the United States.
“I think the global treaty… is just taking too long,” Glanznig commented. He is urging the Australian government to take a more proactive stance by implementing mandatory recycling and packaging targets. “We really need the government to look at this as something that they can take ownership of,” Glanznig stated. He also advocates for exploring alternative, sustainable materials, such as plastics derived from seaweed, which are safer and designed to break down naturally in the environment.
Dr. Chartres concurs, highlighting the current lack of incentive for industries to meet targets without legally enforceable mandates. “We’ve seen a small number of single-use products being regulated, but it’s the tip of the iceberg,” he remarked. He further pointed out that “98 per cent of single used plastic is made from oil and gas, and it’s one of the largest impacts to the environment.”
Last year, the federal government committed to introducing mandatory targets if voluntary measures proved insufficient. In a statement, Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt indicated that progress is being made in reforming packaging practices across Australia. “We want to see all businesses take responsibility for the environmental impacts of their packaging as we transition to a circular economy,” he said. “Taking action now to increase the recyclability of packaging, reducing unnecessary and problematic packaging, and using recycled content will ensure businesses are well-placed for any future regulations.”
