This microcredential is built by SPW CRC Research Program 1 (RP1) specialists to deliver research-driven, practical learning.
This introductory microcredential provides you with foundational knowledge for understanding plastics, their classifications and the environmental claims associated with them.
The microcredential introduces you to the basic classification of plastics, including major polymer families commonly used in products and packaging, and the identification codes associated with these materials. You will learn how plastics are identified in practice and how different environmental claims relate to material composition, material behaviour and the waste management systems required to support them.
The microcredential also introduces the broader regulatory and labelling landscape relevant to plastics and packaging, focusing primarily on the Australian context while highlighting key international frameworks and standards. Through examples and short case exercises, you will explore how environmental claims can be interpreted and how system conditions influence whether such claims are meaningful in practice.
Multiple Choice Quiz: 90% pass (untimed and unlimited attempts)
Complete this SPW CRC Microcredential and earn a shareable digital badge, issued through My eQuals. Use it on LinkedIn, CVs and professional profiles to demonstrate your expertise and real-world impact.
There are no specific entry requirements. This microcredential is suitable for anyone wishing to gain general knowledge in the topic.
Access is currently exclusive to employees or members of SPW CRC Partner & Associate organisations, as well as PhD and postdoctoral researchers participating in the SPW CRC Industry Researcher Development Program (IRDP).
Eligible participants can enrol through the SPW CRC Office. Contact us to register your interest. Those who enrol will be given 12 months to complete this microcredential. View the full terms and conditions.
Selected microcredentials will be made available to the broader public in the future.
Access to SPW CRC Microcredentials is currently exclusive to Partners, Associates and Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers).
Eligible participants can enrol through the SPW CRC Office. Contact us to register your interest.
Prof Stefanie Feih leads the Solving Plastic Waste CRC (SPW CRC) Research Program 1 (RP1), providing strategic direction across a portfolio of industry and research projects focused on reducing the environmental impact of plastics through improved materials, product design and end-of-life outcomes.
Barry has over 30 years’ experience in both the Resource Recovery and Recycling Industry and in the Food and Grocery Industry. Like many, he started his working career packing shelves in supermarkets while at university. Since then, he has worked for multinational grocery companies, was CEO of a privately owned Australian food manufacturing company and represented small to medium enterprises on the Australian Food and Grocery Council board.
Marie de Perthuis is a sustainability business leader dedicated to accelerating the transition to a circular and low-impact economy. As CEO of MyEco Group (ASX: MCO), she is leading the company’s transformation into a consumer-focused sustainability platform that makes environmentally responsible choices more accessible to households.
With extensive experience across consumer products, product innovation and business transformation, Marie has scaled brands, commercialised new products, and led strategic change initiatives that balance environmental impact with commercial success.
Access is currently exclusive to employees or members of SPW CRC Partner & Associate organisations, as well as PhD and postdoctoral researchers participating in the SPW CRC Industry Researcher Development Program (IRDP).
Eligible participants can enrol through the SPW CRC Office. Contact us to register your interest. Those who enrol will be given 12 months to complete this microcredential. View the full terms and conditions.
Selected microcredentials will be made available to the broader public in the future.
For the Making Sense of Plastics: Labels, Claims, and Real World Outcomes Microcredential is free for Partners, Associates and Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers).
Access to SPW CRC Microcredentials is currently exclusive to Partners, Associates and Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers). Eligible participants from our Partners and Associates receive a 50% off discount on standard fees. Some microcredentials are also available at no cost.
Selected microcredentials will be made available to the broader public in the future. Pricing for non-members will be confirmed as courses are released.
Access to SPW CRC Microcredentials is currently exclusive to Partners, Associates and Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers).
Eligible participants can enrol through the SPW CRC Office. Contact us to register your interest.
Not at the moment. SPW CRC Microcredentials are currently available exclusively to members of the SPW CRC community, including Partners, Associates and Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers). Selected microcredentials will be made available to the broader public in the future.
If your organisation is interested in accessing SPW CRC Microcredentials or becoming part of the CRC community, please contact us to discuss partnership or association opportunities.
This microcredential has been developed using evidence-based research by Solving Plastic Waste CRC in collaboration with research and industry experts in the relevant discipline area. Quality assurance of this microcredential is achieved through a governance review process by an Industry Reference Group.
All our microcredentials meet the standards for the National Microcredential Framework.
Skills outlined on the digital badge include:
No prior knowledge is required. This microcredential explains the basics of polymer types and plastics terminology.
Yes. This microcredential introduces practical ways to assess plastics-related environmental claims by considering the evidence behind the claim, the material properties involved and the waste management systems needed to support real-world outcomes.
This microcredential is designed to align with the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) framework for years 7 to 10 by fostering the development of critical knowledge, skills, and understandings outlined in the national curriculum.
Aligning microcredentials with the UN SDGs builds a capable workforce to address global challenges and support a more sustainable, equitable world.
Build a foundational understanding of circular economy principles and how they apply to plastics in Australia.
Mode: Online, self-paced
Duration: 4 hours
Fee: $20 for Partners & Associates ($40 full price) | Free for Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers)
Explore the sources, impacts and solutions to microplastic pollution across environmental and human systems.
Mode: Online, self-paced
Duration: 2 hours
Fee: Free for Partners, Associates and Industry Researchers (IRDP PhD and postdoctoral researchers)
Learn about our national mission to reduce plastic waste through industry-led research and collaboration.
Explore how our four Research Programs are delivering solutions across the plastics lifecycle.
Explore partnership opportunities with SPW CRC across research, training and industry collaboration.
Short, online courses designed to build practical expertise across the plastics value chain.
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