Industry is being asked to nominate Australia’s most difficult to recycle products for inclusion on the minister’s national Product Stewardship Priority List.
Nominations are open until 17 December.
Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment said the nomination process followed last year’s strengthening of product stewardship provisions under the national government’s Waste Reduction Act 2020 and will help drive industry-led schemes to make sure less products and materials end up in landfill.
“The minister’s priority list calls out those products and industries that need to take greater action,” Ley said. “It is not good enough to design a product without reducing waste during its manufacture, as well as addressing the recycling options at the end of its life or without considering the recycled materials that can be used in its remanufacture.
“Industry is already on notice that we need to see action on photovoltaic systems, electrical and electronic products, plastic oil containers, child car seats, clothing textiles and problematic and unnecessary single use plastics.
“We are investing $26 million to help accelerate and establish product stewardship schemes and are supporting industry through the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence.”
Trevor Evans, Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management said it was important for stakeholders to have their say on which products and materials should be on the list.
“We want to hear from other levels of governments, academia, or from peak bodies, designers, manufacturers, importers, distributers, recyclers and consumers,” Evans said.
“Having your say is really important because national product stewardship and recycling schemes reduce waste, prevent harmful materials from ending up in landfill, increase recycling and help us recover valuable resources.”
For more information visit: www.awe.gov.au
Related stories:
New record in PVC stewardship compliance
Battery Stewardship Scheme now accredited