Sustainability
Aim: To help make Australia's population, communities and environment more sustainable.
PRIORITIES
- Develop a clear national strategy for ensuring that Australia can effectively sustain changes in its population.
- Make sustainability considerations a central part of policy development and decision making by government.
- Implement the National Waste Policy, in particular, the development of Product Stewardship legislation, and the TV and computers recycling scheme.
Don works closely with industry, the community and other levels of government through regulation, education, co-operation and information to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.
Waste and recycling
Don is committed to building a more efficient and environmentally responsible Australia through implementation of the National Waste Policy. The National Waste Policy sets a direction for Australia to produce less waste, and manage our waste in a way that maximises economic, environmental and social benefits. The National Waste Policy also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy conservation, raise water efficiency and enhance productivity of the land.
The development of the landmark Product Stewardship Bill is a significant milestone in the delivery of the National Waste Policy. Product Stewardship aims to minimise the impact of waste and increase the recycling and reuse of a range of products. This framework will pave the way for a national, industry-led television and computer recycling scheme by the end of 2011. This scheme aims to increase television and computer recycling rates from the current 10 per cent to 80 per cent by 2021. Future schemes under the framework are currently being assessed, with consultation from stakeholders and the community vital to any future implementation.Fuel quality
The Australian Government has established fuel quality standards for petrol, automotive diesel, biodiesel and LPG. Don manages the national fuel sampling program to monitor the quality of fuel sold across Australia to ensure retailers and suppliers provide fuel that meets the requirements of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.
Hazardous waste, ozone and synthetic greenhouse gases
Don is responsible for meeting the Australian Government's obligations under 10 international conventions, treaties and agreements to address the management and movement of chemicals and hazardous waste, the ozone layer and ozone depleting substances.
More about:
- Waste policy
- Product stewardship legislation
- Fuel quality
- Hazardous waste
- Ozone and synthetic greenhouse gases
LATEST NEWS
- TV and computer recycling scheme open for business in the ACT - 15 May 2012
- Budget 2012-13: Strengthening the Bureau of Meteorology - 8 May 2012
- Caloundra is Australia's tidiest town - 8 May 2012
- Canberra first to start free e-waste recycling service - 30 April 2012
- New weather bureau radar for south-east Tasmania - 27 April 2012
- Third approved arrangement announced for National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme - 4 April 2012
- New meteorology office for Albany - 30 March 2012
- SA companies switched on to reducing mercury levels - 28 March 2012
- Second approved arrangement announced for National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme - 28 March 2012
- Point and click for your local SA weather forecast - 27 March 2012
- First approved arrangement announced for National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme - 6 March 2012
