Australia’s National Waste Recycling Industry Council says that Stewardship Schemes need enforcement
Australia’s NWRIC CEO Speaks Out
NWRIC CEO Rose Read spoke recently about the need for better waste stewardship across a range of wastes. This comes as Australia’s ban on waste exports is starting to become a reality.
Read said that while it was encouraging that states were looking to implement bans (on waste plastics-Ed), ideally, it would be more effective and efficient for all stakeholders if the banning of single-use plastics fell under the Australian Government’s Product Stewardship Act.
“National product stewardship schemes including bans ensure that the real costs to human and environmental health are funded by those organisations who produce and place them into the market,” Ms Read said.
Tyre stockpiles highlight need for state government and tyre industry action
September saw the public exposure of a tyre stockpile in Brisbane, Queensland, highlighting the shortcomings of existing government regulations and the voluntary Tyre Stewardship Australia Scheme in preventing potentially hazardous stockpiles.
Read said the stockpile was an example of how public confidence in recycling schemes and payment of waste levies could be undermined.
“It’s imperative that we see effective government enforcement of existing regulations and standards to ensure best practice across the waste and recycling sector.
“Operators that are not doing the right thing need to be shut down,” Read said.
“Only those certified under the Australian Tyre Recycling Association accreditation program should be allowed to operate.
“With regard to cleaning up the stockpile, if the tyre industry through their voluntary product stewardship scheme cannot prevent these stockpiles, they should, as a minimum, contribute to the cost to clean it up. What is Tyre Stewardship Australia’s role here?
“While the state government should not have allowed these stockpiles to occur, it is the manufacturers who should be footing the bill for cleaning up. That is what best practice product stewardship is about.” Stated Read.
