Valuing all resources – both virgin and recovered
Although the Federal Election has come and gone, regrettably, we heard very little during the campaign on environment, our essential industry or climate – other than discussions on energy.
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WMRR: Finally some good news, but plenty to do
After what seems like months of false starts and a general lack of action to move towards our often-cited Net Zero and Resource Recovery targets, it was pleasing to end 2024 with a little bit of good news; the increase in the national recovery rate of 3 per cent (about 2 million tonnes) in the latest National Waste and Resource Recovery Report.
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Finally some good news – but plenty to do
After what seems like months of false starts and a general lack of action to move towards our often-cited Net Zero and Resource Recovery targets, it was pleasing to end 2024 with a little bit of good news; the increase in the national recovery rate of 3 per cent (about 2 million tonnes) in the latest National Waste and Resource Recovery Report.
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How far did we come in 2024?
As we headed towards the end of 2024, and a Federal election in 2025, it was time to take stock of what has been achieved in the past 12 months. Environment Ministers from across Australia will be coming together in December 2024 for what should be one of the most consequential meetings of its type in many years. This may be the last meeting for the current Federal Environment Minister – a Minister that arrived with such great hope and many promises to act and even regulate.
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Industry needs to lead the way – government won’t
The last National Waste Report in December 2022 shows there has been an increase in recovery of about one million tonnes over the past two reporting years, whereas Australia needs over 10 million additional tonnes to be recovered to hit our 80 per cent target by 2030.
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The answer is product stewardship regulation
Having just finished the 2024 ENVIRO circular economy conference in Brisbane, it struck me how loud the recurring themes were that we heard over the two days. Three in particular stood out – economics (imagine circular economy actually being about economics), regulation and leadership. All three are vital to successfully transitioning to a circular economy in 2030. However, when it largely comes to policy in this area we are severely lacking.
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Controlling consumption key to reducing waste streams
Can Australia really embrace the necessary structural reform we need and move beyond our current linear BAU (Business as Usual) approach to tackle the symptoms of over-production and over consumption? Or will we simply continue to focus lower down the hierarchy and hope we can keep recycling our way to 2030?
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Plastics just the tip of the iceberg
This year really has started with a bang (and not exactly a good one). I moved from discussing the risks that batteries pose, to another battery-related fire in a facility (or truck), to constantly being in dialogue with governments about the risk that incorrect classification and chemicals present on the sector’s ability to make safe recovered products.
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The link between waste and climate change
As I sit here in Far North Queensland and marvel at how well it has been cleaned up Cyclone Jasper (well done Cairns Regional Council and all those involved from the Queensland Government – and yes, as requested, I did not cancel my plans!) and we read about the floods in Victoria, storms in South East Queensland and severe bushfires in Western Australia (please all stay safe), I can’t help but wonder when we really will move to take the impact of climate change seriously in Australia.
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Asbestos is challenging but must be handled carefully
Thousands of people in our essential waste and resource recovery industry go to work every day determined to make a difference, determined to make safe and fit for purpose products for use in the community, committed to making a positive difference to the environment.
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