❓ WA Government outlines its approach to waste management and recycling, including kerbside recycling, the National Packaging Covenant, and potential container deposit legislation, highlighting the importance of national consistency and cost-effectiveness.
AnsweredQoN 2188Legislative Assembly
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(b) will the Minister outline what legislative measures if any are in place, which encourage manufacturers to recycle their waste product packaging in Western Australia; (c) does the Government intend to introduce a plastic bottle or metal can ‘deposit system’ with the costs of such a system to be borne by manufacturers as in South Australia as an effective means of encouraging recycling amongst Western Australians and of reducing landfill; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of kerbside recycling in reducing landfill and promoting recycling in particular - (i) will the Minister outline the total cost to Western Australians of the various kerbside-recycling schemes operated by Local Governments; (ii) will the Minister outline the amount of waste material collected through kerbside recycling; (iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill? (f) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) in reducing the consumption of environmentally harmful plastic shopping bags; (g) does the Government plan on introducing a levy for plastic shopping bags on consumers and/or retailers and/or plastic bag manufacturers as a means of reducing the distribution of plastic bags; and (h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(c) does the Government intend to introduce a plastic bottle or metal can ‘deposit system’ with the costs of such a system to be borne by manufacturers as in South Australia as an effective means of encouraging recycling amongst Western Australians and of reducing landfill; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of kerbside recycling in reducing landfill and promoting recycling in particular - (i) will the Minister outline the total cost to Western Australians of the various kerbside-recycling schemes operated by Local Governments; (ii) will the Minister outline the amount of waste material collected through kerbside recycling; (iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill? (f) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) in reducing the consumption of environmentally harmful plastic shopping bags; (g) does the Government plan on introducing a levy for plastic shopping bags on consumers and/or retailers and/or plastic bag manufacturers as a means of reducing the distribution of plastic bags; and (h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(d) if no to (c), why not; (e) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of kerbside recycling in reducing landfill and promoting recycling in particular - (i) will the Minister outline the total cost to Western Australians of the various kerbside-recycling schemes operated by Local Governments; (ii) will the Minister outline the amount of waste material collected through kerbside recycling; (iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill? (f) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) in reducing the consumption of environmentally harmful plastic shopping bags; (g) does the Government plan on introducing a levy for plastic shopping bags on consumers and/or retailers and/or plastic bag manufacturers as a means of reducing the distribution of plastic bags; and (h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(e) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of kerbside recycling in reducing landfill and promoting recycling in particular - (i) will the Minister outline the total cost to Western Australians of the various kerbside-recycling schemes operated by Local Governments; (ii) will the Minister outline the amount of waste material collected through kerbside recycling; (iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill? (f) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) in reducing the consumption of environmentally harmful plastic shopping bags; (g) does the Government plan on introducing a levy for plastic shopping bags on consumers and/or retailers and/or plastic bag manufacturers as a means of reducing the distribution of plastic bags; and (h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(ii) will the Minister outline the amount of waste material collected through kerbside recycling; (iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill?
(iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill?
(iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill?
(g) does the Government plan on introducing a levy for plastic shopping bags on consumers and/or retailers and/or plastic bag manufacturers as a means of reducing the distribution of plastic bags; and (h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(c-d) States have not been in a position to unilaterally introduce Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) since the introduction of National Competition Policy. Consequently, this issue is being considered at the national level by the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC). One concern of the WA Government is that a CDL system should not reduce the viability of our kerbside recycling systems and this context provides the basis on which support for CDL at a national level will be progressed. (e) Local councils that participate in the Resource Recovery Rebate Scheme (RRRS) (previously known as the Municipal Recycling Services Scheme) report recycling data. For the period from July 1998 to June 2002, this data shows an increasing trend. Municipal waste to landfill in the Perth Metropolitan area for the same period has slightly decreased, indicating that kerbside recycling has been effective in reducing the amount of waste to landfill. (i) The Western Australian Local Government Association advises that it does not keep details of charges to ratepayers applied by councils for recycling services. Individual councils operate their own recycling services and costs vary according to the system used, number of households serviced and whether the council is in a metropolitan or non-metropolitan location. Councils usually provide details in their rates notices of their waste management charges, which include the costs of the recycling services. (ii) 130,411 tonnes of material was collected through kerbside recycling collections in the Perth Metropolitan area in 2001/2002. (iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites. (iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(e) Local councils that participate in the Resource Recovery Rebate Scheme (RRRS) (previously known as the Municipal Recycling Services Scheme) report recycling data. For the period from July 1998 to June 2002, this data shows an increasing trend. Municipal waste to landfill in the Perth Metropolitan area for the same period has slightly decreased, indicating that kerbside recycling has been effective in reducing the amount of waste to landfill. (i) The Western Australian Local Government Association advises that it does not keep details of charges to ratepayers applied by councils for recycling services. Individual councils operate their own recycling services and costs vary according to the system used, number of households serviced and whether the council is in a metropolitan or non-metropolitan location. Councils usually provide details in their rates notices of their waste management charges, which include the costs of the recycling services. (ii) 130,411 tonnes of material was collected through kerbside recycling collections in the Perth Metropolitan area in 2001/2002. (iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites. (iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(i) The Western Australian Local Government Association advises that it does not keep details of charges to ratepayers applied by councils for recycling services. Individual councils operate their own recycling services and costs vary according to the system used, number of households serviced and whether the council is in a metropolitan or non-metropolitan location. Councils usually provide details in their rates notices of their waste management charges, which include the costs of the recycling services. (ii) 130,411 tonnes of material was collected through kerbside recycling collections in the Perth Metropolitan area in 2001/2002. (iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites. (iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(ii) 130,411 tonnes of material was collected through kerbside recycling collections in the Perth Metropolitan area in 2001/2002. (iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites. (iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites. (iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(c) does the Government intend to introduce a plastic bottle or metal can ‘deposit system’ with the costs of such a system to be borne by manufacturers as in South Australia as an effective means of encouraging recycling amongst Western Australians and of reducing landfill; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of kerbside recycling in reducing landfill and promoting recycling in particular - (i) will the Minister outline the total cost to Western Australians of the various kerbside-recycling schemes operated by Local Governments; (ii) will the Minister outline the amount of waste material collected through kerbside recycling; (iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill? (f) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) in reducing the consumption of environmentally harmful plastic shopping bags; (g) does the Government plan on introducing a levy for plastic shopping bags on consumers and/or retailers and/or plastic bag manufacturers as a means of reducing the distribution of plastic bags; and (h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(d) if no to (c), why not; (e) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of kerbside recycling in reducing landfill and promoting recycling in particular - (i) will the Minister outline the total cost to Western Australians of the various kerbside-recycling schemes operated by Local Governments; (ii) will the Minister outline the amount of waste material collected through kerbside recycling; (iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill? (f) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) in reducing the consumption of environmentally harmful plastic shopping bags; (g) does the Government plan on introducing a levy for plastic shopping bags on consumers and/or retailers and/or plastic bag manufacturers as a means of reducing the distribution of plastic bags; and (h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(e) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of kerbside recycling in reducing landfill and promoting recycling in particular - (i) will the Minister outline the total cost to Western Australians of the various kerbside-recycling schemes operated by Local Governments; (ii) will the Minister outline the amount of waste material collected through kerbside recycling; (iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill? (f) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) in reducing the consumption of environmentally harmful plastic shopping bags; (g) does the Government plan on introducing a levy for plastic shopping bags on consumers and/or retailers and/or plastic bag manufacturers as a means of reducing the distribution of plastic bags; and (h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(ii) will the Minister outline the amount of waste material collected through kerbside recycling; (iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill?
(iii) of that waste material, what amount is recycled; and (iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill?
(iv) of that waste material, what amount is diverted to landfill?
(g) does the Government plan on introducing a levy for plastic shopping bags on consumers and/or retailers and/or plastic bag manufacturers as a means of reducing the distribution of plastic bags; and (h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(h) will the Minister outline the effectiveness of the NPC in encouraging retailers and manufacturers to recycle waste packaging material thereby reducing landfill?
(c-d) States have not been in a position to unilaterally introduce Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) since the introduction of National Competition Policy. Consequently, this issue is being considered at the national level by the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC). One concern of the WA Government is that a CDL system should not reduce the viability of our kerbside recycling systems and this context provides the basis on which support for CDL at a national level will be progressed. (e) Local councils that participate in the Resource Recovery Rebate Scheme (RRRS) (previously known as the Municipal Recycling Services Scheme) report recycling data. For the period from July 1998 to June 2002, this data shows an increasing trend. Municipal waste to landfill in the Perth Metropolitan area for the same period has slightly decreased, indicating that kerbside recycling has been effective in reducing the amount of waste to landfill. (i) The Western Australian Local Government Association advises that it does not keep details of charges to ratepayers applied by councils for recycling services. Individual councils operate their own recycling services and costs vary according to the system used, number of households serviced and whether the council is in a metropolitan or non-metropolitan location. Councils usually provide details in their rates notices of their waste management charges, which include the costs of the recycling services. (ii) 130,411 tonnes of material was collected through kerbside recycling collections in the Perth Metropolitan area in 2001/2002. (iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites. (iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(e) Local councils that participate in the Resource Recovery Rebate Scheme (RRRS) (previously known as the Municipal Recycling Services Scheme) report recycling data. For the period from July 1998 to June 2002, this data shows an increasing trend. Municipal waste to landfill in the Perth Metropolitan area for the same period has slightly decreased, indicating that kerbside recycling has been effective in reducing the amount of waste to landfill. (i) The Western Australian Local Government Association advises that it does not keep details of charges to ratepayers applied by councils for recycling services. Individual councils operate their own recycling services and costs vary according to the system used, number of households serviced and whether the council is in a metropolitan or non-metropolitan location. Councils usually provide details in their rates notices of their waste management charges, which include the costs of the recycling services. (ii) 130,411 tonnes of material was collected through kerbside recycling collections in the Perth Metropolitan area in 2001/2002. (iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites. (iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(i) The Western Australian Local Government Association advises that it does not keep details of charges to ratepayers applied by councils for recycling services. Individual councils operate their own recycling services and costs vary according to the system used, number of households serviced and whether the council is in a metropolitan or non-metropolitan location. Councils usually provide details in their rates notices of their waste management charges, which include the costs of the recycling services. (ii) 130,411 tonnes of material was collected through kerbside recycling collections in the Perth Metropolitan area in 2001/2002. (iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites. (iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(ii) 130,411 tonnes of material was collected through kerbside recycling collections in the Perth Metropolitan area in 2001/2002. (iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites. (iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites. (iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill. (f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%. (g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC. (h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use. Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
4 December 2003
Responded by
Minister for the Environment
Response time
42 days
(a-b) The Environmental Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Regulations, gazetted in July 2003, require manufacturers who contribute to the household waste stream and do not participate in the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) to demonstrate packaging recovery rates that are similar to those achieved by covenant signatories in the same industry or sector.
(c-d) States have not been in a position to unilaterally introduce Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) since the introduction of National Competition Policy. Consequently, this issue is being considered at the national level by the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC). One concern of the WA Government is that a CDL system should not reduce the viability of our kerbside recycling systems and this context provides the basis on which support for CDL at a national level will be progressed.
(e) Local councils that participate in the Resource Recovery Rebate Scheme (RRRS) (previously known as the Municipal Recycling Services Scheme) report recycling data. For the period from July 1998 to June 2002, this data shows an increasing trend. Municipal waste to landfill in the Perth Metropolitan area for the same period has slightly decreased, indicating that kerbside recycling has been effective in reducing the amount of waste to landfill.
(i) The Western Australian Local Government Association advises that it does not keep details of charges to ratepayers applied by councils for recycling services. Individual councils operate their own recycling services and costs vary according to the system used, number of households serviced and whether the council is in a metropolitan or non-metropolitan location. Councils usually provide details in their rates notices of their waste management charges, which include the costs of the recycling services.
(ii) 130,411 tonnes of material was collected through kerbside recycling collections in the Perth Metropolitan area in 2001/2002.
(iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites.
(iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill.
(f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%.
(g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC.
(h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use.
Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
(c-d) States have not been in a position to unilaterally introduce Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) since the introduction of National Competition Policy. Consequently, this issue is being considered at the national level by the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC). One concern of the WA Government is that a CDL system should not reduce the viability of our kerbside recycling systems and this context provides the basis on which support for CDL at a national level will be progressed.
(e) Local councils that participate in the Resource Recovery Rebate Scheme (RRRS) (previously known as the Municipal Recycling Services Scheme) report recycling data. For the period from July 1998 to June 2002, this data shows an increasing trend. Municipal waste to landfill in the Perth Metropolitan area for the same period has slightly decreased, indicating that kerbside recycling has been effective in reducing the amount of waste to landfill.
(i) The Western Australian Local Government Association advises that it does not keep details of charges to ratepayers applied by councils for recycling services. Individual councils operate their own recycling services and costs vary according to the system used, number of households serviced and whether the council is in a metropolitan or non-metropolitan location. Councils usually provide details in their rates notices of their waste management charges, which include the costs of the recycling services.
(ii) 130,411 tonnes of material was collected through kerbside recycling collections in the Perth Metropolitan area in 2001/2002.
(iii) Based on data collected through the RRRS, 114,400 tonnes of material collected in 2001/2002 was recycled by kerbside collection services operated by local councils. This figure does not include recyclables from council drop-off centres and recyclables segregated and sorted at landfill sites.
(iv) With kerbside recycling, there is inevitably contamination. Material Recovery Facilities, which process materials collected by kerbside recycling schemes, report figures of waste residue from recyclables to allow calculation of a contamination rate. In 2001/2002, 16,011 tonnes of such contaminants were sent to landfill.
(f) The NPC provides a framework for the effective consideration of packaging waste issues, including plastic shopping bags. This has lead to the development of a national retailer code of practice for the management of plastic bags. The retailer code of practice includes targets for the reduction of HDPE bag use by 50%, and a recycling rate of 50%.
(g) States are not in a position to unilaterally introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags due to National Competition Policy. Consequently this issue is being addressed at the national level by the EPHC. Due to concerns that a levy would be inefficient and expensive, the EPHC has adopted a position on phasing out light weight plastic shopping bags as well as supporting a retailer code of practice. However, if targets in the code are not met, Ministers will consider the introduction of mandatory measures for plastic bags through the agency of the EPHC.
(h) Over 600 companies are now participating in the NPC. Each is required to have an action plan to develop options for the reduction and recycling of their waste packaging material. The NPC is considered more effective than measures such as container deposits because it covers almost all household packaging wastes, rather than just beverage containers. This is having real influences in the choices made by manufacturers in packaging materials that they use.
Examples of these benefits are increased use of recyclable materials, less use of non recyclable packaging, much greater in-store recycling by retailers and influence up the supply chain as retailers demand better performance from their suppliers.
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