Tasmania CRS - public consultation now open
The Tasmanian Government is seeking feedback on its draft Container Refund Scheme Bill 2021 that will see Tasmanians receive a refund for every eligible drink container they return to a designated refund point from 2022.
Interested parties are encouraged to review the explanatory paper and provide feedback on the draft bill or fill out the survey by Friday 9 July 2021.
The National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) has continually advocated for regulated product stewardship schemes such as container deposit/refund schemes because of their role in reducing environmental harm and protecting human health by preventing waste and keeping resources circulating in the economy and out of the environment.
NWRIC CEO Rose Read commended the Tasmanian Government for implementing a Container Refund Scheme (CRS) which adopts the split-responsibility model.
"Having a model where the Scheme Coordinator oversees the scheme's finances and administration while an independent Network Operator establishes the network of Container Refund Points ensures not only consumer convenience regarding the number and location of collection points and mandated operating hours, but there is commercial incentive to have higher rates of containers returned and recycled back into the economy.
"While NWRIC's preference has always been for a national regulated CDS rather than separate state and territory-based schemes, if states and territories are to run their own schemes it is vital that the containers eligible for the scheme are consistent with other jurisdictions," said Ms Read.
A webinar is also being held on Thursday 17 June at 12.30pm to discuss how the proposed Scheme will work and answer any questions you may have.
Register your interest to attend the webinar here.
NWRIC CEO at 2021 ALGA National General Assembly
National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) CEO Rose Read will be speaking at the Australia Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly (NGA) being held in Canberra on 22 June.
The ALGA NGA is the largest local government conference in Australia and is held annually in Canberra over three days.
Ms Read will address the NGA in the breakout session The Circular Economy and You hosted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
"Local councils play a critical role in how we progress to a circular economy and meet the National Waste Action Plan target of 80% resource recovery by 2030.
"I'm looking forward to presenting on the how current investments in recycling and composting infrastructure are tracking and what this means for local councils across Australia.
"With the waste plastic waste export ban coming into effect from 1 July, we need to not only scale up our local processing capacity, but we also need to have nationally consistent kerbside collection guidelines to reduce contamination, and greater local procurement of recycled plastics, glass, tyres, paper and compost by local councils and state governments," Ms Read said.
AWRE 2021 - Sydney, 25-26 August
The Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE) is being held in Sydney at the ICC from 25-26 August and after 'going virtual' last year will be a face-to-face event.
The Expo offers the waste and recycling industry the chance to showcase their latest products, services and technologies to business and local government customers. It is a great opportunity to showcase innovation, network with customers, suppliers and industry and government decision makers, and attend quality, practical waste and recycling management seminars on current issues.
National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) CEO Rose Read said the Expo is a must attend event for anyone in the waste and resource recovery industry.
"NWRIC is once again proud to be a supporting partner and will be facilitating several sessions.
"I encourage all industry stakeholders to save the date and register to attend this important event," said Ms Read.
