Microplastics from packaging waste and industrial plastic pellets are a significant source of water pollution in Australia, according to a new microplastics report from the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The findings highlight the extent of plastic pollution in coastal waterways and identify traceable sources within the packaging supply chain.
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The Broadscale Microplastic Assessment, conducted over three years, detected microplastics in every one of the 120 waterways sampled across New South Wales.
The study establishes a baseline for microplastic pollution in Australian aquatic environments and provides new data relevant to the global packaging industry.
Widespread contamination across waterways
The assessment confirms that microplastic pollution is present across urban, regional and remote waterways. Concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 34.8 particles per cubic metre, with nearly one in five sites classified as highly contaminated.
Urban catchments recorded the highest levels. Waterways in the Hawkesbury–Sydney region, including heavily populated river systems, showed elevated concentrations linked to dense infrastructure and stormwater runoff.
These findings point to land-based sources as a key driver of marine plastic pollution.
Less developed coastal lakes and remote areas showed lower contamination levels. This contrast reinforces the connection between human activity and the spread of microplastics in water systems.
Packaging materials and pellets identified
The report highlights packaging-related plastics as a major component of detected microplastics. Small fragments, often less than 1 mm in size, were the most common form. These included foam particles and industrial plastic pellets used in manufacturing.
More than 31,000 plastic particles were identified during the study. Among the identifiable materials, packaging waste and resin pellets were prominent.
These materials are considered significant because they can enter waterways during production, transport and handling processes.
For the packaging industry, the findings draw attention to supply chain losses and material leakage. Pellet loss prevention and improved handling practices are increasingly relevant as regulators focus on upstream sources of plastic packaging waste.
Implications for regulation and industry
The EPA states that the dataset will inform future policies aimed at reducing microplastic pollution. Planned actions include targeted monitoring, improved stormwater controls and tighter regulation of high-risk plastic materials.
New South Wales has already introduced measures to phase out certain problematic plastic items, including some expanded plastic packaging formats.
These steps align with broader global trends, where governments are strengthening rules on plastic packaging and introducing extended producer responsibility schemes.
The report underlines growing expectations for industry to reduce environmental leakage. For international stakeholders, it provides evidence that packaging materials remain a key contributor to microplastics in waterways, particularly in urban environments.
The findings are expected to support further research into the environmental impact of microplastics and guide future standards across the plastics and packaging value chain.
