On 27 April 2018, Commonwealth, state and territory environment ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association committed to set a sustainable path for Australia’s recyclable waste. Ministers agreed to work together to better manage waste including updating the 2009 National Waste Policy – Less waste, more resources by the end of 2018.
Preparation of a discussion paper has been coordinated by the Australian Government, with input from state and territory government officials, the Australian Local Government Association, business and industry associations and non-government organisations.
The purpose of the discussion paper is to seek input on priority issues to be considered in future Australian waste management and resource recovery. The full discussion paper is available for download on the Department of the Environment and Energy website.
The discussion paper sets out a number of proposed targets, timeframes and interim milestones for comment, including:
- a 10% national target for reducing waste generated in Australia per capita
- improving resource recovery through product stewardship, common approaches across jurisdictions and tiers of government and improving access to resource recovery services particularly in regional, remote and Indigenous communities
- setting and committing to sustainable government procurement targets for all tiers of government
- halving the volume of organic waste to landfill by 2030
- phasing out problematic and unnecessary plastics
- delivering actions that help communities and businesses avoid and minimise waste, including through design, reuse, repair and sharing of products and services.
The Department is seeking feedback from local government associations and councils, as well as other stakeholders. You can provide feedback by filling out a simple online survey, or by emailing or posting a written submission.
Online survey: Complete the survey on Citizen Space
Email: nationalwastepolicy@environment.gov.au
Post:
Waste Strategy Taskforce
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
Feedback must be received by 5pm (AEST), Friday, 5 October 2018 as late submissions may not be considered.
Feedback will inform updates to the 2009 National Waste Policy for consideration by environment ministers later this year.