The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) is calling on the next South Australian Government to strengthen policies that accelerate the state’s transition to a circular economy.
With the state election commencing on 14 March, WMRR Chief Executive Officer Gayle Sloan took the opportunity to emphasise that stronger action is needed to support local jobs, reduce emissions, and create resilient local markets.
“South Australia had long been a national leader in waste and resource recovery, but the next stage of reform must focus on how materials are designed, used and recovered across the entire economy,” she said.
“The waste and resource recovery sector is critical to protecting public health and the environment.”
Sloan urged the incoming South Australia Government to prioritise four key actions:
- Stronger producer responsibility laws to ensure products are designed for durability, repair and recycling while eliminating hazardous materials such as Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – urgently starting with batteries given the exponential increase in fires in waste trucks and infrastructure in South Australia;
- expanding organics recovery, including mandatory source-separated commercial food organics collections and stronger product standards for compost and soil products;
- growing markets for recycled materials by mandating recycled content in government procurement and infrastructure projects; and
- improving transparency and reporting on emissions reductions achieved through recycling and resource recovery.
The WMRR has reported that globally, about 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are linked to how materials are produced, used and disposed of, highlighting the importance of circular economy policies in meeting climate targets.
“With the right policy settings, South Australia can build a circular economy that uses less, keeps valuable materials in use for longer, cuts emissions and supports local jobs and investment,” Sloan said.
“The opportunity is there – but decisive action from the next government is needed to deliver and allow South Australia to return to a leadership position at the forefront of circular economy innovation in Australia.”
WMRR’s election priorities for a circular, net zero South Australia can be found here.
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