Waste

Recommendation 55

eyuser — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 04:20:02 +0000

Recommendation 55 eyuser Thu, 06/23/2022 - 12:20

Recommendation

Guide long-term planning and development of waste infrastructure by prioritising finalisation of a state waste infrastructure plan. The plan should include:

identifying infrastructure required by material type and geographic location (at regional and sub-regional level, including remote areas and Aboriginal communities) and considering population growth and commercial and industry development trends
considering the infrastructure required to manage and recover site waste from the mining and resources sector, in collaboration with the sector
identifying infrastructure required to manage hazardous wastes and clinical-related wastes that are feasible to process and recycle in WA
developing a clear implementation plan and public reporting framework that:
- prioritises implementation findings to inform infrastructure decision-making
- includes actions for government and industry to work together to identify and secure strategic sites and separation distances to protect existing and future waste infrastructure facilities and support opportunities for collocation.

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 55 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.

Vision – strategic opportunity

Transitioning to net zero emissions technologies

Strategy objectives

Enable environmental sustainability and resilience, and address climate change

Enhance cross-government coordination and planning

Suggested lead agencies

Waste Authority, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

Timeframe

2024

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Recommendation 54

eyuser — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 04:17:56 +0000

Recommendation 54 eyuser Thu, 06/23/2022 - 12:17

Recommendation

54. Achieve the vision of a sustainable, low-waste circular economy by accelerating implementation of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, including:

Prioritising and expediting legislative and regulatory reforms, including:
1. reviewing the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007 to reposition waste as a resource
2. developing a waste-derived materials framework that enables the recovery of materials derived from waste and provide for their safe use in products with recycled content
3. reviewing the Waste Levy, including the rate and geographical application to regional areas where feasible and practical
4. reducing Waste Levy avoidance and evasion practices
5. implementing the Waste Data Strategy to improve waste data collection and reporting to provide a more detailed understanding of WA’s waste streams
Preparing a waste-derived materials market development plan that sets out actions required to grow demand for products with recycled content
Strengthening the role of the WA public sector in supporting the circular economy through government procurement policies that set ambitious and progressively increasing targets to avoid and reduce waste generation, increase recovery and reuse of materials and purchase products with recycled content
Presenting a clear roadmap and time frames for the implementation of waste legislative and regulatory reforms (see Recommendation 54a) and market development (see Recommendations 54b and 54c), and increasing the use of the Waste Levy funds to fast-track implementation
investigating opportunities to improve the way mining and resources sector site waste is regulated and managed to increase recovery
investigating the potential for more local governments to participate in collective arrangements to enhance the provision of waste services and infrastructure, and whether local governments not participating in collective arrangements undermines the provision of cost-effective waste management services and infrastructure.

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 54 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.

Vision – strategic opportunity

Transitioning to net zero emissions technologies

Strategy objectives

Enable environmental sustainability and resilience, and address climate change

Enhance cross-government coordination and planning

Embrace technology, data and digital connectivity

Get the most from our infrastructure and improve maintenance

Suggested lead agencies

a - b. Waste Authority, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

c. Waste Authority, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Department of Finance

d. Waste Authority, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

e. Waste Authority, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety

f. Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries

Timeframe

a - c. 2025

d. 2023

e. 2025

f. 2024

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Waste

eyuser — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 01:43:26 +0000

Waste eyuser Wed, 06/22/2022 - 09:43

The circular economy involves all areas of the economy designing out waste and pollution, and continually recovering and reusing materials from products after they have been consumed.

In 2019-20, WA generated 2,168 kilograms of waste per person. WA lags behind South Australia (85%), Australian Capital Territory (79%), New South Wales (68%) and Victoria (68%) in its rate of resource recovery (62%).

Australia has been exporting significant volumes of its waste for processing, however exporting of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres has been banned to reduce waste and stimulate a domestic recycling industry.

Strategic justification

WA is increasingly recycling and minimising waste, but is falling well short of meeting targets set out in the WA Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, to avoid, reduce and recover waste and move to a circular economy. Much more must be done to achieve the state’s vision for a sustainable, low-waste circular economy.

Vision - strategic opportunities

A global location of choice

Transitioning to net zero emissions technologies

Sector challenges and opportunities

The waste sector is highly regulated and government will need to expedite a number of reforms to create the conditions necessary to transition to a circular economy, such as the review of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007 to reposition waste as a resource.

Additional waste infrastructure will be required across WA as communities and industries grow. WA does not currently have a state waste infrastructure plan, which is required to guide the location and expansion of infrastructure.

Also, waste management in many remote Aboriginal communities is often ineffective as it is not adequately managed, and roles and responsibilities need to be clarified to address this.

Opportunities exist for developing viable markets for products derived from waste to support the viability of expanding recycling services and infrastructure in WA. Government can play a leadership role through its procurement power.

Local governments are responsible for managing waste from households. Many collaborate to provide services, however there may be potential for more in metropolitan and regional areas to work collectively to improve scale and services.

Hundreds of active onshore and offshore mining and resource projects across WA generate a significant amount of waste and infrastructure. The resources sector has potential to contribute more to WA achieving a sustainable, low-waste circular economy.

Case study

The Roads to Reuse program highlights the opportunity for state and local government and the private sector to use recycled products to support the state’s recycling targets and transition to a circular economy. Roads to Reuse supports the supply of recycled construction and demolition products that meet strict specifications to manage risks of contaminants, such as heavy metals and asbestos. Transport infrastructure projects, including road construction, present opportunities to procure and use significant amounts of recycled products, such as Roads to Reuse products. For further information, refer to: https://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/programs/view/roads-to-reuse.