Oil Product Stewardship Scheme Independent Review Released
The Federal Government recently released the latest independent review of the Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000.
The aim of the Scheme is to encourage the environmentally sustainable management, recycling and re-use of used oil in Australia.
National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) CEO Rose Read said the Scheme had been in place for 21 years and was an excellent success story for product stewardship.
"The Scheme has encouraged producers to take responsibility for their waste, has encouraged investment in recycling infrastructure, and created jobs, boosting the economy and importantly, protecting the environment."
Ms Read said the review made three recommendations:
- Enable PSO Scheme benefits to change with oil prices, to insulate oil recyclers against fluctuations in crude oil prices and thereby support the financial sustainability of the PSO Scheme.
- Increase the levy to address the deficit
- Provide more transparency and data concerning the operation of the PSO scheme
"NWRIC supports the need to increase the levy to 20 cpl to address the current deficit and also supports the need for more transparency and data regarding the operation of the PSO Scheme, particularly around levies and the benefits being paid," said Ms Read.
However, NWRIC considers linking the Scheme benefits to changes in oil prices as problematic given the fluctuating prices, rather the fixed benefit rates should be adjusted closer to the 2021 value, and then indexed to CPI annually thereafter.
"Linking base oil with crude oil through a fluctuating market-based mechanism may result in unintended consequences including incentivising the burning of waste oil rather than re-refining it.
"Along with providing less certainty for industry investment".
Ms Read said regular reviews of the Scheme were important.
"We need to ensure the Scheme is resilient and around for the long term because it is truly delivering a circular economy.
"We look forward to the government's formal response to the independent review," Ms Read said.
The full report can be found here
South Australian parliamentary inquiry into PFAS
The Parliament of South Australia's Environment, Resources and Development Committee has invited submissions to its inquiry into PFAS-contaminated waste disposal.
The inquiry, initiated in May this year, will investigate and report on the appropriate and safe disposal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contaminated waste in South Australia and is accepting submissions until 6 October 2021.
