The Albanese Labor Government has expanded the list of products that industry must ensure are handled and ultimately disposed of in an environmentally appropriate manner to include tyres, mattresses and plastics in healthcare products.
Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek has added these items to the Minister's product stewardship priority list for 2022-23, published today during National Recycling Week.
The makers and importers of items on the product stewardship priority list must take responsibility for the impacts of their products on the environment across their entire life cycle.
It goes above and beyond recycling and considers how the development, design, manufacture, import, sale, use and recovery of materials and products can be adjusted to improve environmental outcomes.
There are existing industry-led initiatives for tyres and mattresses recycling, but unfortunately not enough businesses are voluntarily participating. The addition of these products on the Minister's product stewardship priority list means that if participation does not increase, the government will consider regulation.
Healthcare waste has become increasingly problematic due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, while there are already some initiatives addressing this waste stream, this listing will drive further innovation, and expansion of emerging solutions so the industry can come together to develop a national scheme.
Other products already listed include solar panels, electrical and electronic products, child car seats, oil containers, clothing textiles and problematic plastics.
