The Plastic Country

Australia is one of the highest users of plastic per person in the world, yet the issue is still widely seen as an environmental problem happening “out there.” This film addresses a critical gap in public understanding: plastic pollution is not just in our oceans and wildlife, it is now being found within our own bodies. As emerging science links plastic chemicals and microplastics to potential impacts on human health, there is an urgent need to shift the narrative from distant environmental concern to immediate personal relevance. At the same time, Australia lacks the policy ambition and systems change required to reduce plastic production, improve packaging design, and prevent waste at the source. This project responds to both a knowledge gap and a policy gap, aiming to inform, engage and mobilise audiences to support meaningful change.

The impact vision for The Plastic Country is to shift plastic pollution from a distant environmental issue to an immediate human health and national policy priority. By revealing the scale of exposure and connecting audiences personally to the issue, the film aims to build public demand for stronger action across Australia. This includes reducing plastic production, accelerating the transition to reuse and better packaging design, and investing in upstream solutions that prevent waste before it enters our environment. Through a coordinated impact campaign, the film will engage schools, communities, policymakers and industry leaders, using screenings, media and partnerships to drive awareness and action. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to meaningful legislative change and help position Australia as a leader in tackling plastic pollution at its source.

Through The Plastic Country, we aim to drive tangible policy outcomes at both State and Federal levels. This includes strengthening and harmonising bans on problematic single-use plastics, accelerating national packaging reform targets, and embedding reuse systems as a core part of Australia’s waste strategy. A key priority is elevating human health within plastic policy by pushing for stronger regulation, transparency and reduction targets around harmful plastic chemicals such as phthalates and other additives linked to exposure risks. The campaign will support commitments to reduce virgin plastic production, improve product stewardship schemes, and invest in upstream solutions that prevent waste entering the environment. By engaging policymakers, industry and the public, the film seeks to help create the political will for ambitious, coordinated national action that protects both environmental and human health.

The film will include clear calls to action at both an individual and collective level. For individuals, this includes reducing single-use plastics, choosing reusable alternatives, and becoming more aware of everyday exposure to plastic and harmful chemicals. At a broader level, audiences will be encouraged to engage with the film’s impact campaign by attending screenings, joining community initiatives, and sharing the message to build public momentum. Critically, the film will prompt audiences to step into civic action, including contacting or meeting with their local MPs, supporting stronger plastic policies, and advocating for bans, targets and safer chemical regulation. The goal is to move audiences from awareness to action, helping translate personal concern into collective pressure for systemic change.