Federal, state and territory governments have today mapped a way forward on a range of recycling and circular economy issues which clog landfills, contribute to littering and destroy Australia's wildlife and natural environment.
Environment Ministers from across Australia met today to advance a shared national agenda, including through a new Circular Economy Roadmap, which identifies priority issues and action to reduce waste nationwide.
Ministers agreed that reform to rules for packaging, including soft plastics, remains an important environmental priority and agreed to work together and with industry to strengthen packaging regulation under National Competition Policy.
This work will include exploring harmonisation of the bans of problematic plastic items where handling currently differs between states and territories.
As a starting point, these items may include:
- plastic packaging such as polystyrene (EPS) food trays and expanded
- plastic packaging (loose packing materials like packing peanuts) for products under 45kg (EPP)
- plastic confetti and balloon plastic accessory items
- degradable plastics designed to break down into smaller fragments through chemical or physical processes
- heavyweight plastic shopping bags.
Ministers committed to looking at ways to strengthen Australia's mandatory national packaging regulatory framework.
The current framework comprises an industry-led packaging product stewardship scheme administered by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), and the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011, that is given effect through legislation and policies implemented by state and territory governments.
Ministers also agreed to work together towards a nationally consistent models for end-of-life solar panels and batteries, to protect Australians and ensure safe waste and recycling activities.
Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt said it was an important step forward in finding common ground.
"The Albanese Government remains committed to doubling the circularity of our economy by 2035, and we will only get there by working together across jurisdictions," Minister Watt said.
"That is how we will reduce waste while also reducing inconsistencies for businesses, and minimise cost impacts on consumers.
"We understand that waste and recycling firms face a range of challenges, including unharmonised Federal and State regulatory arrangements and brand owners not taking responsibility for their packaging under Australia's existing co-regulatory scheme.
"The Albanese Government is investing over $200 million in new and upgraded recycling infrastructure through the Recycling Modernisation Fund, to invest alongside states, territories and industry to boost recycling capability by up to $1 billion, including for plastics and other hard-to-process materials.
"And we remain committed to working closely with industry, and state and territory governments to strengthen and simplify the systems that support recycling and improve the circularity of Australia's packaging into the future."
