The Hon Sussan Ley MP, Minister for the Environment
The Hon Trevor Evans MP, Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management
As part of Recycling week, industry is today being invited to nominate Australia’s most difficult to recycle products for inclusion on the Minister’s national Product Stewardship Priority List.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said that the nomination process followed last year’s strengthening of product stewardship provisions under Morrison Government’s Waste Reduction Act 2020 and will help drive industry led schemes to make sure less products and materials end up in landfill.
“The Minister’s priority list calls out those products and industries that need to take greater action,” Minister Ley said.
“It is not good enough to design a product without reducing waste during its manufacture, as well as addressing the recycling options at the end of its life or without considering the recycled materials that can be used in its remanufacture.
“Industry is already on notice that we need to see action on photovoltaic systems, electrical and electronic products, plastic oil containers, child car seats, clothing textiles and problematic and unnecessary single use plastics.
“We are investing $26 million to help accelerate and establish product stewardship schemes and are supporting industry through the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence.”
Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans said it was important for stakeholders to have their say on which products and materials should be on the list.
“We want to hear from other levels of governments, academia, or from peak bodies, designers, manufacturers, importers, distributers, recyclers and consumers,” Assistant Minister Evans said.
“Having your say is really important because national product stewardship and recycling schemes reduce waste, prevent harmful materials from ending up in landfill, increase recycling and help us recover valuable resources.”
