presentation from public consultation meetings held 21 april – 1 may 2009

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Presentation from public consultation meetings held 21 April – 1 May 2009

www.environment.gov.au/wastepolicy

Overview November 2008 Australian environment ministers November 2008 Australian environment ministers

agreed to develop a national waste policy to agreed to develop a national waste policy to provide a coherent, efficient and environmentally provide a coherent, efficient and environmentally responsible approach to waste management in responsible approach to waste management in AustraliaAustralia

The Australian Government is leading the processThe Australian Government is leading the process

A taskforce has been formed in the Department of A taskforce has been formed in the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to consult widely and develop a draft national waste consult widely and develop a draft national waste policypolicy


The last statement of national waste policy 1992 National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable 1992 National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable

Development (ESD) agreed by Council of Australian Development (ESD) agreed by Council of Australian Governments (COAG)Governments (COAG)

Included national approach to waste minimisation Included national approach to waste minimisation and managementand management

““To improve the efficiency with which To improve the efficiency with which resources are used and reduce the impact on the resources are used and reduce the impact on the environment ofenvironment of waste disposal, and to improve waste disposal, and to improve the management of hazardous wastes, avoid their the management of hazardous wastes, avoid their generation and address clean-up issues.”generation and address clean-up issues.”


Since 1992…

All Australian governments have introduced a range All Australian governments have introduced a range of legislative and policy instruments for waste of legislative and policy instruments for waste management and resource recovery which work management and resource recovery which work towards COAG’s objectives towards COAG’s objectives

The evolution of policies, legislation and programs The evolution of policies, legislation and programs across jurisdictions over the last decade or more across jurisdictions over the last decade or more has resulted in a diversity of approaches across has resulted in a diversity of approaches across Australia Australia


State and territory role(Please note, further state/territory specific information can be found at the end of this presentation)

All States and Territories All States and Territories have waste strategies and have waste strategies and legislation to protect the legislation to protect the environment and conserve environment and conserve natural resourcesnatural resources

A wide variety of A wide variety of measures have been measures have been adoptedadopted


A lot has changed institutionally, socially, A lot has changed institutionally, socially, economically and in our environmenteconomically and in our environment

Sustainability needs increasingSustainability needs increasing– Climate changeClimate change– Water scarcity and qualityWater scarcity and quality– Energy conservationEnergy conservation

Seamless National Economy (COAG 2008)Seamless National Economy (COAG 2008) Time to consider where next with national Time to consider where next with national

waste policywaste policy

The 1992 COAG agreement still stands but ..


Waste generation is increasing…

Waste generation up by 28 % 2002/03 to Waste generation up by 28 % 2002/03 to 2006/07 - from 32 to 41 million tonnes2006/07 - from 32 to 41 million tonnes

Even with the significant increase in Even with the significant increase in recycling - 49% of the waste we generate is recycling - 49% of the waste we generate is diverted into resource recovery activitiesdiverted into resource recovery activities

(2008 Hyder Report) (2008 Hyder Report)


Is this level of generation acceptable - how do we Is this level of generation acceptable - how do we decide? decide?

How can (and should) we address this level of How can (and should) we address this level of waste generation?waste generation?


Recycling and disposal rates per waste sector in 2006-07 (kilo tonnes)

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

Municipal C & I C & D Total

Recycled

Disposed

From Waste and Recycling in Australia, Hyder Consulting, 2008 (p. 3)


Predicted growth in generated waste by sector to 2020

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Meg

ato

nn

es

2002/03 2010/2011 2020/2021

Total C&D Waste

Total C&I Waste

Total MSW Waste

From Waste and Recycling in Australia, Hyder Consulting, 2008


Contribution of waste to economyWaste Waste Resource Resource

Management Management sector sector

2002-032002-03 (Source: ABS 2002-03 (Source: ABS 2002-03 ))

recovery sector recovery sector

20062006 (Source: Australian (Source: Australian Council of Recyclers Council of Recyclers 2009)2009)

GDPGDP $1.3 billion$1.3 billion

(0.2 %)(0.2 %)$11. 5 billion$11. 5 billion

(1.2 %)(1.2 %)

JobsJobs 14,00014,000 38,60038,600


Local government role(Please note, further state/territory specific information can be found at the end of this presentation)

Important role as Important role as – direct service providerdirect service provider– purchaser of waste servicespurchaser of waste services– contributor to aggregated approaches to waste contributor to aggregated approaches to waste

managementmanagement


Australian Government role Commonwealth has Commonwealth has

responsibilities forresponsibilities for international agreementsinternational agreements specific legislation specific legislation participation in national participation in national

activities through the activities through the Environment Protection & Environment Protection & Heritage Council (EPHC)Heritage Council (EPHC)


National action so far…

Commonwealth activities under Commonwealth activities under international agreements and specific international agreements and specific legislationlegislation

Regulatory action by all jurisdictions Regulatory action by all jurisdictions through national environment protection through national environment protection measures (NEPMs) under the NEPC Act measures (NEPMs) under the NEPC Act

Activities by all jurisdictions under the Activities by all jurisdictions under the banner of the EPHCbanner of the EPHC

Voluntary action by business and Voluntary action by business and community organisationscommunity organisations


Solutions – where and how to intervene?

How can Australia better capture the value How can Australia better capture the value in waste?in waste?

What mix of incentives and regulation are What mix of incentives and regulation are needed for the waste management and needed for the waste management and resource recovery sectorsresource recovery sectors

How can this stimulate innovation, jobs How can this stimulate innovation, jobs and deliver good environmental outcomesand deliver good environmental outcomes??


What do we want to achieve?A policy that will:A policy that will: clearly articulate the objectives of waste clearly articulate the objectives of waste

management and the respective roles of management and the respective roles of governmentsgovernments

set out the basis for collaboration between set out the basis for collaboration between jurisdictionsjurisdictions

provide the basis for effective and efficient provide the basis for effective and efficient approaches to domestic waste issuesapproaches to domestic waste issues


What do we want to achieve?A policy that will:A policy that will: ensure that waste management remains ensure that waste management remains

aligned with Australia’s international aligned with Australia’s international obligations, including the Basel Convention obligations, including the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastesof Hazardous Wastes

complement the Commonwealth’s approach complement the Commonwealth’s approach to climate change and sustainabilityto climate change and sustainability


Potential benefits Stimulate economic activity and innovation from our Stimulate economic activity and innovation from our

growing waste streamgrowing waste stream Create jobsCreate jobs Improved sustainable management of our resources Improved sustainable management of our resources

and materialsand materials Greater transparency and certainty for business and Greater transparency and certainty for business and

the communitythe community Simplified waste management approaches across Simplified waste management approaches across

AustraliaAustralia


Potential benefits Reduced regulatory and cost burden on businessReduced regulatory and cost burden on business

Greater awareness of waste related issues and Greater awareness of waste related issues and potential solutionspotential solutions

Pursuit of collaborative action to reduce greenhouse Pursuit of collaborative action to reduce greenhouse

gas emissions and save energy and watergas emissions and save energy and water

Capacity to monitor performance of key waste and Capacity to monitor performance of key waste and resource recovery indicators at a national levelresource recovery indicators at a national level


Policy development timeline7 April Consultation Paper released

28 April – 1 May Public meetings & a stakeholder workshop

13 May Submissions close

22nd May EPHC Meeting – discuss future directions

Nov EPHC Meeting – agree a national waste policy


How can you contribute? Share your ideas, insights, knowledge and Share your ideas, insights, knowledge and

information at this session.information at this session. Make a submission on the national waste policy by Make a submission on the national waste policy by

13 May 2009.13 May 2009.

– The consultation paper poses a range of The consultation paper poses a range of questions to help frame the issuesquestions to help frame the issues

– Send submissions or refer queries to Send submissions or refer queries to [email protected]@environment.gov.au

– More information is available at: More information is available at: www.environment.gov.au/wastepolicywww.environment.gov.au/wastepolicy

2222

State, territory and local government roles


State role in Victoria This diagram summarise the roles and of the state government agencies involved in waste management in Victoria.


Local government role in Victoria

Local governments play an important role in waste management in Victoria in the following ways:– As service providers (either directly or via contractors)– As landfill operators (most often in rural and regional Victoria)– As contributors to best practice approaches to waste management

via Regional Waste Management Groups (rural and regional Victoria) or the Metropolitan Waste Management Group (in Melbourne).


State role in NSW The role of the NSW government is to ensure a healthy and clean

environment by reducing impacts on the community and the environment of waste and waste related activities and ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources (energy, water, materials).

NSW does this through a comprehensive regulatory framework and through innovative tools and programs that aim to mitigate impacts from waste disposal, minimise resource use, increase resource recovery and ensure the appropriate disposal of harmful waste.

Regulatory measures include:– State-wide planning controls– Licensing of waste and resource recovery premises and facilities– Providing clear guidelines on waste classifications and exemptions to

assist with resource recovery– Tracking of hazardous waste– Collection of a waste and environment levy on waste going to landfill in

the regulated areas– Collection and reporting of waste related data– Prosecution of littering and illegal dumping


State role in NSW NSW also runs a broad range of waste-related programs, which are aimed at

achieving the targets in the state’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy.

Examples of programs include:– Improving resource recovery infrastructure – Gathering information to guide priority setting and investment– Trials of new approaches and recycled content materials– Working with industries on product stewardship initiatives– Grants for Councils on litter and illegal dumping and a suite of other

programs for Councils– Providing chemical clean-out services for households – Support for businesses to tackle waste– Government leading by example through its Sustainability Policy and

Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy– Sustainable Schools program– Aboriginal clean up grants


Local government role in NSW Local Government is primary

interface between community (households, businesses) regarding waste management services.

Local Government very influential regarding behaviour change, effective waste management / recycling practice.

Local Government has a great deal of “purchasing power” which can impact waste and sustainability outcomes.

Local Government deals with a wide variety of types of wastes, not just domestic: organic (food and garden), inert, packaging, e-waste, hazardous, home administered clinical, public place, commercial, industrial, illegally dumped waste.


Local Government operates to best of ability at “end of pipe”, with a limited ability to influence volumes and types of waste that come into the system.

Local Government is firmly committed to the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

It’s not just about recycling Local Government waste

management is increasingly being used to raise revenue through levies, which should be applied back to waste / environmental initiatives.

Local government role in NSW

Supportive of a national waste policy, one that Supportive of a national waste policy, one that deliversdelivers


State role in WA

Waste Authority role Department of Environment and Conservation role The Waste Strategy:

– Better landfill– More recycling– Fostering alternative waste treatment


State role in WA

Tools available

– Funding – Strategic Waste Initiative Scheme; Community Grants Scheme; Regional Funding Program;

– Partnerships, education, information

– Landfill levy

– Regulation in some areas

Tools we lack

– Regulatory tools for product stewardship Look to the national level for this


Local government role in WA All Australian governments have introduced a range of legislative

and policy instruments for waste management and resource recovery which work towards COAG’s objectives


State role in SA ZeroWaste SA provides leadership to define policy settings for waste-resource

recovery State Waste Strategy 2005-2010

– Mid term review against Strategy– Draft 2010-2015 strategy being prepared

Five key strategies – Foster sustainable behaviour– Avoiding waste to landfill– Establish effective recovery systems– Enact policies– Encourage cooperation

Regulatory (operational and policy) focus by EPA Draft Environment Protection Policy Specific reform work for resource recovery sector

– Waste to urban fill; refuse derived fuel; waste to soil enhancer; stockpile management

Regulatory function – state and national requirements (ie NEPMs)


State role in QLD The Queensland Department of Environment and Resource

Management is the lead Government department for waste management in Queensland.

Current waste management framework:– Environmental Protection Act 1994– Environmental Protection Regulation 2008– Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Policy 2000– Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation

2000


State role in QLD Where is Queensland up to?

– Public discussion paper released in October 2007– Consultation summary released in April 2008– Annual publication of State of Waste and Recycling Report– National Packaging Covenant program funding and enforcement of

NEPM provisions, including Public Place Recycling– Internal and external stakeholder working groups established to begin

work on definitions– Department of Public Works Whole-of-Government Recycling Policy for

Buildings and Civil Infrastructure Considerations include…

– New waste strategy – Strengthening the regulatory framework, including increased regulation

and enforcement– Mechanisms to address data gaps – Improved management of priority wastes

No waste levy is proposed for Queensland at this stage


Territory role in ACT

TAMS manages waste operations in the ACT DECCEW manages the policy aspects of waste management. Recycling has increased from 42% in 1996 to 74% in 2008, primarily

from households, and the construction sector. Waste to landfill has decreased from 252,000 tonnes in 1996 to

207,000 tonnes in 2007/2008. ‘No Waste by 2010’ is due for renewal. Opportunities exist in:

commercial and industrial sectors Organic material E-waste

presentation from public consultation meetings held 21 april – 1 may 2009

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