❓ The question concerns the management of e-waste under the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, particularly regarding local government alignment, interstate shipping, and support for local processors. The answer clarifies the role of the Product Stewardship Act 2011 and outlines support for local e-waste recycling initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 2587Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, specifically the headline strategy "Implement local government waste plans, which align local government waste planning processes with the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030" (p6), and I ask: (a) as the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 doesn't mention electronic waste ("e-waste") specifically, will e-waste remain managed under the Product Stewardship Act 2011 ; (b) given that e-waste is often shipped interstate, how will the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 support existing, local government-supported processors; (c) given that local processors remain financially challenged, even with the Community and Industry Engagement program (CIE) grant made available for infrastructure, will the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 support local processing infrastructure in favour of transporting waste for processing; (d) if yes to (c), in what ways will the strategy support local infrastructure; and (e) if no to (c), would the Minister provide a rationale for this decision?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 November 2019
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
10 days
(a) The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) is managed under the Commonwealth Product Stewardship Act 2011 . It is anticipated that television and computer product stewardship actions will continue to be managed under this Act.
A review of the NTCRS by the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy is being finalised. To improve e-waste recycling outcomes in Western Australia, the McGowan Government has given in-principle to expand the scope of the NTCRS to include other types of e-waste currently not managed effectively .
(b) The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 (Waste Strategy) aims to move Western Australia towards a more circular economy to support local recycling activity, jobs and investment.
To support the Waste Strategy, the last two rounds of Community and Industry Engagement (CIE) program included an infrastructure stream. Funding of $159,780 has been awarded to Total Green Recycling to install automatic sorting equipment for plastic e-waste, and to create e-waste educational materials to increase the capacity of the local industry. Funding of $52,442 has also been awarded to support Salvos Stores establishing cost-effective e-waste, metals and battery recycling logistics.
(c)-(d) The Waste Strategy identifies the importance of developing a local industry in its vision for Western Australia to become a sustainable, low-waste, circular economy. It includes a strategy to support investments in local infrastructure that generate increased recovery and places an ongoing emphasis on maintaining product stewardship schemes so that they align with the State’s waste priorities.
(e) Not applicable
A review of the NTCRS by the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy is being finalised. To improve e-waste recycling outcomes in Western Australia, the McGowan Government has given in-principle to expand the scope of the NTCRS to include other types of e-waste currently not managed effectively .
(b) The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 (Waste Strategy) aims to move Western Australia towards a more circular economy to support local recycling activity, jobs and investment.
To support the Waste Strategy, the last two rounds of Community and Industry Engagement (CIE) program included an infrastructure stream. Funding of $159,780 has been awarded to Total Green Recycling to install automatic sorting equipment for plastic e-waste, and to create e-waste educational materials to increase the capacity of the local industry. Funding of $52,442 has also been awarded to support Salvos Stores establishing cost-effective e-waste, metals and battery recycling logistics.
(c)-(d) The Waste Strategy identifies the importance of developing a local industry in its vision for Western Australia to become a sustainable, low-waste, circular economy. It includes a strategy to support investments in local infrastructure that generate increased recovery and places an ongoing emphasis on maintaining product stewardship schemes so that they align with the State’s waste priorities.
(e) Not applicable
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