Recommendations

Recommendation 1

3.11    The committee recommends that state and territory governments implement waste reduction targets that are set in a sustainability context and based on rigorous analysis and sound science.

Recommendation 2

3.28    The committee recommends that landfill levies should be applied across all jurisdictions, adjusted for the impact on smaller communities, and should be calculated to include the full range of social and environmental externalities.

Recommendation 3

3.32    The committee recommends that state and territory governments pursue the hypothecation of landfill and their investment into resource recovery initiatives and infrastructure to the fullest extent possible.

Recommendation 4

3.46    The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government calculates options to send a direct and undiluted price signal to the market and publishes the greenhouse benefits of recycling or landfill gas reduction, capture and use as part of its deliberations on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Recommendation 5

3.75    The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council undertake a cost-benefit analysis of glass in the kerbside recycling system including economic, social and environmental externalities. Such an analysis should consider alternatives to kerbside recycling for glass, including container deposit schemes, and their potential economic, social and environmental impacts.

Recommendation 6

3.83    The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council consider initiatives, including container deposit schemes, to improve away-from-home recycling. Such initiatives should include elements such as an incentive to recycle, convenience, adequate infrastructure and a supporting education and awareness program.

Recommendation 7

3.102  The committee recommends that waste management policy must be grounded in rigorous cost-benefit analysis which encompass economic, environmental and social externalities.

Recommendation 8

4.18    The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council develop a national resource efficiency strategy. The strategy should seek consistent policies between the states and adopt a principles-based approach; including sustainability, the waste hierarchy, extended producer responsibility and user pays cost reflective pricing as guiding principles.

Recommendation 9

4.39    The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council re-establish the national waste data system. Once the Waste Management Association of Australia's review of the Australian Waste Database is complete, governments should consider whether to fund the CSIRO and/or the Australian Bureau of Statistics to re-establish the national waste data system.

Recommendation 10

4.47    The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government, and state and territory governments audit the adequacy of existing resource recovery infrastructure and commit funding or implement policy changes which will address any deficiencies. 

Recommendation 11

4.59    The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council establish national minimum environmental standards in relation to emissions from landfill operations including the reduction, capture and use of landfill gas emissions. Such standards should be applied to all landfill sites above an agreed threshold.

Recommendation 12

4.75    The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council recommend measures to reduce the quantities of organic material going into landfill. The options considered should include utilisation of alternative waste technologies and a cap and trade scheme.

Recommendation 13

5.20    The committee recommends that in light of the emergence of national priorities including climate change and water conservation, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) review the adequacy and transparency of the EPHC waste framework.

Recommendation 14

5.29    The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council expedite the establishment of Extended Producer Responsibility arrangements for identified products of national significance.

Recommendation 15

5.36    The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council revitalise the product stewardship National Environment Protection Measure to address waste issues of national significance in a timely and coordinated manner.  

Recommendation 16

5.77    The committee recommends the Environment Protection and Heritage Council work towards a national container deposit system. As part of its review the committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council consider the South Australian model and the Drink Container Recycling Bill 2008.

Recommendation 17

5.103  The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council finalise and/or develop Extended Producer Responsibility initiatives for the various forms of e-waste as a matter of priority.  

Recommendation 18

5.108  The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Heritage Council consider an Extended Producer Responsibility initiative for compact fluorescent lamps as a matter of priority.

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