What is New in WARR from 1 July 2024
The new financial year starting on 1 July 2024 has seen a number of policy and regulatory changes commence for the waste and resource recovery (WARR) industry.
Waste Levies
Waste levies across the country are now locked in for 2024/25, highlighting there is more work to be done to achieve a consistent approach nationally. Full details can be found here.
Waste Export Program
Cost recovery for the Waste Export Program has commenced with the implementation of fees-for-service. Exporters will pay an application fee for the assessment of new licences, licence variations, licence renewals and exemptions. Details can be found here. DCCEEW has also advised waste export licences are no longer required to export recycled plastic pellets, nor are exporters required to declare these exports to the Minister (through the Waste Export Licensing and Declaration portal).
As part of this program, the Recycling and Waste Reduction (Waste Paper and Cardboard) Rules 2024 also came into effect.
Clothing Product Stewardship
Australia’s clothing product stewardship scheme, Seamless, has begun operation. It has listed priorities for the year as better circular design practices, changing citizen behaviour and exploring local, viable recycling and reprocessing practices.
The scheme will see a four (4) cent levy on each new garment placed on the Australian market and three (3) cents for each garment manufactured with agreed sustainable materials.
Seamless has more than 60 companies on board including foundation members Big W, Cotton On, David Jones, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl, R.M. Williams, Sussan Group and The Iconic.
Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy
The Australian Government's Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy is now in place. It requires high value procurements in specific categories to address environmental impacts, including reporting and contract management obligations.
It has three (3) key focus areas: circularity, environment and climate.
Vape Regulation
Further changes to the regulation of vapes has commenced including a ban on the domestic manufacture, commercial possession and sale of non-therapeutic and disposal vapes. Enforcements powers have also increased for the Commonwealth, States and Territories. The complete list of changes can be found here.
Engineered Stone Ban
The ban on the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs has commenced. Details of the ban are specific to each jurisdiction and can be found at Safe Work Australia.
WA Landfill Ban
Western Australia’s e-waste to landfill ban has come into effect with Phase One (1) regulations beginning with an education-focused approach. Items banned in Phase One (1) include those covered by national product stewardship schemes, or with material recovery pathways available as an alternative to landfill such as:
- screens, information technology and telecommunications
- lighting and lamps
- large appliances when used in a home, office or professional environment
- batteries
- temperature exchange equipment when used in a home, office or professional environment
- medical devices.
NT CDS Targets
NT Government’s new Stage One (1) targets for the container deposit scheme have commenced. They are:
- 60% recycling rate target for HDPE permitted containers
- 70% recycling rate target for LPB permitted containers
- 75% recycling rate target for PET permitted containers
- 90% recycling rate target for aluminium permitted containers
- 95% recycling rate target for glass permitted containers
It is to act as an incentive to increase beverage container returns and the recovery and recycling of container materials. The complete targets are set out in the Improving the Container Deposit Scheme Policy Roadmap and Implementation Plan.