The Australian Sustainable Business Group (ASBG) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Review of the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (RWRA).
ASBG supports moving to a more circular economy, which includes our trading partners and the return of materials to close the circle.
ASBG's submission made the following main points on the RWR Act and more:
- The need for better policing of ‘free riders’ in Product Stewardship schemes
- To improve the circular economy, the Australian Government should plan, cooperate and implement a number of actions with all other Australian jurisdictions. This includes assistance with the siting of controversial, but essential waste and recycling infrastructure including landfills, EfW etc.
- The Waste Export ban on paper & cardboard either be eliminated or significantly reduced in its costs
- All other waste export ban materials have reduced costs in licence fees etc.
- Unprocessed scrap metal be added to the Waste export ban list of waste types
- Improve waste data by standardization, jurisdictional cooperation and provision of this data publically in appropriate reports
- Assist to reduce contamination levels in household bins, by standardization, education and policing
- Introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility scheme on packaging, as across the EU, is opposed as per ASBG's prior submission to DCCEEW
- Government to take a lead action by Government procurement preference to products from bona fide participants in Product Stewardship schemes and other suitable criteria
