Response summary: Review of the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020
Public consultation on the current statutory review of the Act is closed.
We asked for your feedback on the operation of the Act and the extent to which its objects have been achieved.
How you had your say
The Have Your Say survey asked questions about different operations under the Act. We alerted stakeholders to the survey by email.
This included:
product stewardship scheme administrators and participants
waste export licence holders
recyclers
peak bodies and industry groups
state and territory environmental protection agencies
local governments
other interested parties.
You gave feedback through:
the online survey
written submissions.
Who engaged
In total, 86 people or organisations participated in the survey consultation period.
56 responded through our survey.
30 provided a submission via email.
The online survey participants or representatives were:
from a variety of sectors, the largest response sector being local governments
mainly from New South Wales (36%), South Australia and Victoria (both 16%), and Queensland (12.5%)
from city areas (75%), regional areas (23%) and remote areas (2%).
What you said
Waste Exports Licensing Program
Respondents expressed concerns about:
the complexity and inefficiency of the current scheme. There were calls for automated and/or standardised processes, particularly for low-risk materials
specific materials and how they should be handled under the Act.
Respondents also stated their views that:
mixed waste should require stricter controls than clean and sorted materials
government should provide more incentives to boost domestic recycling capacity.
Respondents made suggestions about:
using digital technologies to enhance data integrity and help to reduce illegal exports
sharing responsibility for waste management among all stakeholders in the supply chain
addressing collection and infrastructure gaps in regional and remote Australia.
Product stewardship (PS)
Respondents shared theirs views on the importance to them regarding the following:
Incorporating circular economy principles into product design and manufacturing.
Creating mandatory eco-design standards, extended producer responsibility schemes, and incentives for using recycled materials.
A preference for mandatory rather than voluntary PS schemes.
The need for robust enforcement and penalties for non-compliance.
Transparency, accountability and stronger industry engagement on the Minister's Priority List.
An expansion of products covered by the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.
An increased focus on consumer behaviour change.
Involving recyclers and other industry stakeholders in governance arrangements and decision making.
Compliance and Enforcement
Respondents called for:
stronger penalties and enforcement mechanisms to address non-compliance
the introduction of third-party audits
a more risk-based approach to compliance and enforcement efforts.
They also suggested:
increasing transparency in government enforcement actions
increasing public reporting of non-compliant entities.
Circular economy
Respondents highlighted their views on what they saw as the critical enablers of a circular economy:
More investment in research and development, repair services, and skills training.
Mandatory recycled content targets.
Government procurement policies prioritising recycled materials.
Public awareness campaigns.
Investment in domestic processing infrastructure and regulation of the packaging industry.
Harmonised national waste and recycling policies.
What happens next
We are reviewing the feedback received through the online survey and other sources. This feedback will help us to prepare a report with recommendations. The report will be presented to the responsible minister and tabled in Parliament.
Enquiries about the review process should be directed to RaWR-Review@dcceew.gov.au.
Important links
The terms of reference for the review can be found at: Review of the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act - DCCEEW.
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