The CEO of the Waste Management Association of Australia has called for the NSW Government to protect the kerbside recycling collection system when making its deliberations on the state’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).
The deadline for submitting responses to the NSW CDS Discussion Paper consultation was last Friday (26 February).
In a statement discussing the WMAA submission, its CEO Martin Tolar said its response recognises the political reality surrounding the CDS and requests further analysis of the impact of any such scheme on the well-regarded kerbside system in NSW.
“We understand that the government has given a commitment to introduce a CDS and that there is broad community support for the policy,” said Mr Tolar. “However, our view is that it is essential that safeguards are established that protect the significant industry investment that has been made to deliver an effective kerbside recycling program.”
Speaking to Waste Management Review, Mr Tolar expressed his surprise at the approach on the CDS taken by some organisations in the waste management and recycling space.
“Our feedback to the consultation is that it’s time for a considered discussion about this issue, with parties sitting at the table with government to reach a workable solution,” he said.
“Now is not the time to rush like a bull at a gate, and take a scatter gun approach to this important community issue, but rather WMAA will be taking a considered approach to ensure the Baird Government can achieve its policy objectives while also ensuring the interests of the state’s waste and recycling industry are also protected. We look forward to further consultation with the NSW EPA on this matter,” Mr Tolar added
Full details about proposals for the NSW Container Deposit Scheme and the discussion paper are available on the NSW EPA website.