Wednesday, 27 June 2018
Greens WA Waste spokesperson Robin Chapple MLC said that a Senate report released on Tuesday night into Australia’s waste crisis is a wakeup call to the McGowan Government, and that the Government now needs to come on board with The Greens’ bill to ban single use plastics in WA.
The Greens-chaired Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications Inquiry into waste and recycling released a long awaited report entitled, “Never waste a crisis: the waste and recycling industry in Australia,” on Tuesday night, all parties agreeing with the recommendations.
Mr Chapple said that the release of this report coupled with the cross party consensus removes any reason for the McGowan Government to hold out on waste reform in WA.
“This report is ground breaking, it contains recommendations that could seriously improve and reform the way that we manage waste in WA.
“This report is clear: we must phase out single-use plastics, not just bags but coffee cups, containers, microbeads and the like.
“The Greens’ Bill to ban single use plastics is in the Upper House right now, it’s being debated tomorrow and I genuinely hope that the Labor party, the Liberals and the crossbench will come on board and show the kind of leadership that their federal counterparts have been open to.
“Last night we saw the WA Government release the plastic bag regulations, in which barrier bags – plastic bags without handles for fruit and the like – are exempt from the ban. The McGowan Government clearly isn’t listening and is taking the path of least resistance at a time when people are looking for genuine change.
“One of the most exciting recommendations is the call to establish a circular economy, in which materials are used, collected, recovered and re-used within Australia. This is what we need to move towards so that we can finally put an end to the senseless waste that has pervaded our country and the world for far too long.
“This is our message to the McGowan Government: the findings are clear, get on board with our Bill and let’s get this done for the sake of WAs, and the world’s environment.”
---ENDS---
Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490
Recommendations
Recommendation 1
The committee recommends that the Australian Government prioritise the establishment of a circular economy in which materials are used, collected, recovered, and re-used, including within Australia.
Recommendation 2
The committee recommends that the Australian Government shows leadership through the urgent implementation of the 16 strategies established under the National Waste Policy.
Recommendation 3
The committee recommends that the Australian Government prioritise waste reduction and recycling above waste-to-energy, and seek a commitment through the Meeting of Environment Minsters of all levels of government to the waste hierarchy.
Recommendation 4
That the Commonwealth and State Government agree to a phase out of petroleum-based single-use plastics by 2023. The scope of this commitment would require careful consideration and should be developed through the Meeting of Environment Ministers.
Recommendation 5
That the government establish a Plastics Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) to lead Australia’s research efforts into reducing plastic waste, cleaning up our oceans and finding end-markets for recovered plastic.
Recommendation 6
That the government commit to implementing the recommendations of the Senate References Committee Inquiry into the threat of marine plastic pollution in Australia, particularly in light of the need to improve plastic resource recovery.
Recommendation 7
The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with state and local governments to assist recyclers to increase the diversion of material from landfill; improve the quality of materials recovered through collection programs; improve the sorting of materials at recycling facilities; and assist manufacturers to increase the amount of recycled material used in production.
Recommendation 8
The committee recommends the Australian Government set mandatory targets for all government departments in relation to the recycled content of materials bought directly or provided by private contractors.
The committee recommends that state and local governments also pursue sustainable procurement policies to ensure strong domestic markets for recycled material.
Recommendation 9
The committee recommends that the Australian Government implement the 65 agreed improvements to the National Waste Report, and the data collection and analysis practices, as established by Blue Environment's Improving national waste data and reporting report.
Further, the committee recommends that the National Waste Report be published at least biennially.
Recommendation 10
The committee recommends that the Australian Government support state and territory, and local governments in ensuring effective education programs are available to assist the public in understanding how best to undertake recycling.
Recommendation 11
The committee recommends that the Australian Government implement a national container deposit scheme.
Recommendation 12
The committee recommends that product stewardship schemes established under the Product Stewardship Act 2011 be mandatory schemes.
Recommendation 13
The committee recommends that mandatory product stewardship schemes be established for tyres, mattresses, e-waste, and photovoltaic panels.
Recommendation 14
The committee recommends that the Australian Government extend producer responsibility under product stewardship schemes to ensure better environmental and social outcomes through improved design.
Recommendation 15
The committee recommends that the Product Stewardship Advisory Committee be re-established and that they be tasked with recommending products for listing under the Product Stewardship Act.
Recommendation 16
The committee recommends that the Australian Government assist state and territory governments to ensure that landfill levies in proximate jurisdictions are such that there is a no incentive to transport waste for levy avoidance purposes.
Recommendation 17
The committee recommends that the Australian Government support state and territory governments fully hypothecating landfill levies towards measures that reduce the creation of consumption and waste, and that increase the recycling of waste materials.
Recommendation 18
The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with state and territory governments to ensure the implementation of harmonised, best-practice landfill standards.
