A product stewardship scheme to recycle flooring waste is a step closer.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is proposing to grant authorisation for ResiLoop to establish and operate a voluntary, industry-led scheme to collect and recycle resilient flooring waste.
ResiLoop has sought authorisation on behalf of itself, its members and participants in the scheme for a period of six years.
Resilient flooring is floor coverings made from natural mineral fillers combined with materials such as vinyl, linoleum, or rubber.
About 60,000 tonnes of resilient flooring waste is generated each year in Australia, with almost all waste going to landfill. Yet there is no industry-wide scheme for collecting and recycling resilient flooring waste in Australia.
The scheme will be funded by a product levy of 15 cents per square metre and applied to certain categories of resilient flooring products.
The product levy will be passed through the value chain (eg. by direct reference on the invoice to the scale of the product levy and the relevant products included in the purchase).
Liza Carver, Commissioner, ACCC, said the levy is unlikely to materially impact competition and represents a minimal proportion of the total retail cost of resilient flooring for consumers.
“The scheme is likely to result in environmental benefits by diverting resilient flooring waste from landfill to instead be reused,” she said.
“Research and development into effective uses of resilient flooring waste, and pricing that better reflects the cost of disposal, is likely to promote proper disposal and greater recycling of resilient flooring under the scheme.”
The ACCC has granted interim authorisation for ResiLoop to commence the waste product scheme, which will allow ResiLoop to secure a foundation customer.
“Securing a foundation contract will promote confidence in the viability of the new product stewardship scheme and encourage further industry participation,” she said.
“It is important that ResiLoop considers ways to involve broad supply chain representation in the Scheme as well as being part of the advisory board.”
ResiLoop will report annually on the scheme’s progress.
The ACCC is seeking submissions in response to the draft determination by Friday 30 August 2024 before making its final decision.
For more information, ResiLoop Limited
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