Question On Notice No. 2587 asked in the Legislative Council on 16 October 2019 by Hon Robin Chapple
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, specifically the headline strategy "Implement local government waste plans, which align local government waste planning processes with the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030" (p6), and I ask:
(a) as the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 doesn't mention electronic waste ("e-waste") specifically, will e-waste remain managed under the Product Stewardship Act 2011;
(b) given that e-waste is often shipped interstate, how will the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 support existing, local government-supported processors;
(c) given that local processors remain financially challenged, even with the Community and Industry Engagement program (CIE) grant made available for infrastructure, will the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 support local processing infrastructure in favour of transporting waste for processing;
(d) if yes to (c), in what ways will the strategy support local infrastructure; and
(e) if no to (c), would the Minister provide a rationale for this decision?
Answered on 21 November 2019
(a) The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) is managed under the Commonwealth Product Stewardship Act 2011. It is anticipated that television and computer product stewardship actions will continue to be managed under this Act.
A review of the NTCRS by the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy is being finalised. To improve e-waste recycling outcomes in Western Australia, the McGowan Government has given in-principle to expand the scope of the NTCRS to include other types of e-waste currently not managed effectively .
(b) The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 (Waste Strategy) aims to move Western Australia towards a more circular economy to support local recycling activity, jobs and investment.
To support the Waste Strategy, the last two rounds of Community and Industry Engagement (CIE) program included an infrastructure stream. Funding of $159,780 has been awarded to Total Green Recycling to install automatic sorting equipment for plastic e-waste, and to create e-waste educational materials to increase the capacity of the local industry. Funding of $52,442 has also been awarded to support Salvos Stores establishing cost-effective e-waste, metals and battery recycling logistics.
(c)-(d) The Waste Strategy identifies the importance of developing a local industry in its vision for Western Australia to become a sustainable, low-waste, circular economy. It includes a strategy to support investments in local infrastructure that generate increased recovery and places an ongoing emphasis on maintaining product stewardship schemes so that they align with the State’s waste priorities.
(e) Not applicable