Plastic tax could fix growing 'tsunami of waste': study

Australia can no longer rely on recycling schemes as the plastic waste solution, researchers say. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Australians know life in plastic is not fantastic but every year the nation continues to use more, prompting researchers to look to Europe for ways to cut down.

The population already consumes 3.8 million tonnes of plastic every year, and that number is expected to more than double to nearly 10 million tonnes by 2050.