The Waste Reduction and Recycling Amendment Bill 2017 (the Bill) seeks to implement the legislative framework for a container refund scheme (CRS) and a lightweight plastic shopping bag ban, and to make provision for streamlining and improving the End of Waste Code framework. This will provide Queensland with the opportunity to increase the rate of recycling and to reduce litter. The CRS provisions of the Bill ensure that beverage manufacturers take stewardship responsibility for the waste that is generated as a result of the products they place on the market and places overall responsibility for the costs of the scheme onto the beverage industry. It also provides for the appointment of a Product Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to oversee the administration and operation of the scheme and establishes that the PRO is responsible for delivering State-wide coverage for the collection of containers and for administration of the scheme, including financial management and auditing, and reporting against established performance measures, including container recovery and refund access targets. The Bill also implements a ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags. The ban will apply to all lightweight plastic shopping bags, including biodegradable bags as these may also injure or kill wildlife. The Bill also includes amendment to the End of Waste codes to allow for improved management of potential risks associated with using some wastes as a resource. For these purposes, the Bill amends the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011. Cabinet approved that the Waste Reduction and Recycling Amendment Bill 2017 be introduced into the Legislative Assembly. Attachments
The Waste Reduction and Recycling Amendment Bill 2017 (the Bill) seeks to implement the legislative framework for a container refund scheme (CRS) and a lightweight plastic shopping bag ban, and to make provision for streamlining and improving the End of Waste Code framework. This will provide Queensland with the opportunity to increase the rate of recycling and to reduce litter. The CRS provisions of the Bill ensure that beverage manufacturers take stewardship responsibility for the waste that is generated as a result of the products they place on the market and places overall responsibility for the costs of the scheme onto the beverage industry. It also provides for the appointment of a Product Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to oversee the administration and operation of the scheme and establishes that the PRO is responsible for delivering State-wide coverage for the collection of containers and for administration of the scheme, including financial management and auditing, and reporting against established performance measures, including container recovery and refund access targets. The Bill also implements a ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags. The ban will apply to all lightweight plastic shopping bags, including biodegradable bags as these may also injure or kill wildlife. The Bill also includes amendment to the End of Waste codes to allow for improved management of potential risks associated with using some wastes as a resource. For these purposes, the Bill amends the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011. Cabinet approved that the Waste Reduction and Recycling Amendment Bill 2017 be introduced into the Legislative Assembly. Attachments
Waste%20Reduction%20and%20Recycling%20Amendment%20Bill%202017.docx