WA embarks on new era of recycling and waste management

Environment and Climate Change Minister David Templeman said the Bill featured
new measures to reduce the amount of material going to landfill and increase the rate of recycling in WA.
 
“Historically, waste management was predominantly a health and amenity issue.  But in our changing climate, it has become so much more than that,” Templeman said.
 
“These days, we need to be more conscious about what we create and consume and think more carefully and innovatively about re-using and disposing those items.  
 
"This is an important step forward in dealing with waste and reducing greenhouse
emissions in WA. A measure of this Bill’s importance is the strong bipartisan support it received in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.”
 
The Minister said the Bill could allow for the establishment of Extended Producer
Responsibility Schemes, where producers of consumer goods could become
responsible for them for the life of the product.
 
A main feature of the Bill is the creation of a new statutory Waste Authority to drive significant improvements in waste management and recycling.
 
“The Waste Authority’s first priority will be to set out a comprehensive strategic five to 10-year plan on how we can achieve a major reduction in waste going into landfill across Western Australia,” the Minister said.  
 
 “We have also increased landfill levies, which provide resources for the new Waste Authority to invest in programs and activities for reducing waste across State and Local government, business and industry, and the community.
 
“This is another example of the Government acting now for the future.”