Manufacturing and COVID-19 on NWRIC meeting agenda
This week the NWRIC met to discuss the current and future impacts of COVID-19 on businesses and the industry and was briefed on the Modern Manufacturing Strategy (MMS) and $1.5 billion initiative announced in the federal budget earlier this month, where recycling has been listed as one of the six manufacturing priority areas.
A representative from the Roadmap Programs division within the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources outlined the key aspects of the MMS, including the Modern Manufacturing Initiative, the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, round two of the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund and the Roadmaps to Recovery and Beyond.
NWRIC CEO Rose Read said having recycling listed as one of the six manufacturing priorities recognises the potential economic and employment growth opportunities the recycling and waste management sector can deliver.
"The NWRIC is looking forward to working with the Department to develop the Roadmap for increasing the demand for recycled and sustainably produced goods as well as providing materials for manufacture and remanufacture.
"The waste and recycling sector contributes $4.8 billion directly to the Australian economy each year with employment growing by 13% over the past five years since June 2019, outperforming total jobs growth in the economy by ten percentage points for the same period.
"There is real potential to grow the recycling and energy recovery sector as we ramp up our processing capacity.
"The Commonwealth is making the waste and recycling industry a real priority, and the Strategy will stimulate the investment required for industry to scale up." Ms Read said.
Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill passes House of Representatives
This week the Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill with amendments based on feedback from the NWRIC and other stakeholders was passed in the House of Representatives. The Bill is now with the Senate where further amendments on plastics and packaging proposed by the Greens will be considered when it sits in November.
NWRIC CEO Rose Read said the legislation is a vital step towards Australia taking responsibility for its own waste.
"The banning of waste exports along with strengthening the product stewardship requirements of businesses are important steps that will enable Australia to develop its recycling and energy recovery capacity.
"Thanks to the Minister for Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, Assistant Minister for Waste and Environmental Management the Hon Trevor Evans MP and opposition members including Josh Wilson MP for their consultation with industry in shaping this legislation," Ms Read said.
CDS a feature at Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE)
NWRIC is pleased to be a supporting partner as AWRE goes online on 25-26 November, delivering four sessions over the two-day program.
The third of NWRIC's interactive online sessions will focus on Container Deposit Schemes.
Tasmania has signalled its intention to have a container deposit scheme (CDS) up and running by 2022, with Victoria to follow suit by 2022/23. There is now plenty of active discussion on what is best practice for CDS. A panel including representatives from NWRIC, government, the beverage and waste and recycling industries will explore what we have learnt from the NSW, Queensland, and the recently launched WA container deposit schemes.
How should these learnings be applied by Victoria and Tasmania and what is the best way to enable national harmonisation?
Don't miss this important topic at this year's AWRE conference! Click here
