Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020
The Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020, repealing the Product Stewardship Act 2011, is aimed at addressing the growing challenges of waste management and promoting a circular economy. Administered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Act's primary objectives are to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of products and waste, realise the economic benefits of responsible waste management, develop a circular economy, and help Australia meet its international environmental obligations.
The Act provides a framework for regulating the export of waste material and implementing product stewardship schemes. It defines "waste material" broadly, encompassing any discarded, rejected, or surplus items from various activities. The Act allows for certain types of waste to be designated as "regulated waste material," subjecting them to stricter controls.
The Act mentions two distinct product stewardship regimes:
- The voluntary scheme allows for the accreditation of arrangements that further the Act's objectives, permitting the use of a product stewardship logo.
- The co-regulatory scheme may require certain parties (manufacturers, importers, distributors, and users) to participate in approved arrangements with specified outcomes.
Another component of the Act is the Minister's priority list. The Minister publishes an annual priority list of products being considered for accreditation or regulation, signalling the government's focus areas in waste management and product stewardship. This annual publication identifies products that the Minister is considering for some form of accreditation or regulation under the Act. The list signals to industry and the public which products are of particular concern, provides transparency about the government's intentions regarding waste management and product stewardship, allows industries time to develop voluntary schemes before more stringent measures are considered and helps focus efforts on products with the most significant environmental impacts or recycling potential.
The Minister's priority list has been used to highlight issues such as photovoltaic systems and electrical and electronic products. These items were listed from 2016-17 to 2022-23 due to the rapid increase in e-waste and the particular challenges posed by photovoltaic system disposal. As of June 2023, the government is progressing towards regulation in this area.
Lastly, the Act grants significant powers to the Minister to implement and enforce its provisions.
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