National Waste Policy
National Waste Policy: Less Waste, More Resources
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The National Waste Policy builds on the 1992 National Strategy for ESD commitments to improve the efficiency with which resources are used, reduce the impact on the environment of waste disposal, and improve the management of hazardous wastes, avoiding their generation and addressing clean-up issues. It also seeks to enhance, build on, or complement, existing policy and actions at all levels of government.
The policy sets a clear direction for Australia over the next 10 years, toward producing less waste for disposal, and managing waste as a resource to deliver economic, environmental and social benefits. It will complement action to deliver greenhouse gas emission reductions, reduce energy and water use, support jobs, and invest in future long term economic growth. It will further more consistent regulation and seek to address market impediments. The policy will provide the basis for collaboration among the jurisdictions to deliver effective and efficient approaches to national waste issues, and ensure that waste management remains aligned with Australia’s international obligations.
The practical outcome of implementing the National Waste Policy will be that all wastes, including hazardous wastes, will be managed consistent with Australia’s international obligations, and for the protection of human health and the environment. The policy will also seek to ensure that the risks associated with waste are understood and managed in the future to minimise intergenerational legacy issues. There will also be a significant contribution to greenhouse gas reduction, water and energy efficiency and improved resource use. Greenhouse gas emissions from landfill will be addressed under the final design of the CPRS, and the beneficial and/or innovative use of organic material diverted from landfill, will be encouraged to increase the productivity of the land, provide a source of energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Improved economic and job opportunities will arise from using waste as a resource. There will be a consistent and coherent regulatory environment that facilitates business activity, sends clear signals on government policy directions, and removes distortions and impediments to the effective operation of relevant markets. The differences between jurisdictions in the way waste is defined, classified and regulated will be addressed, and information failures will be dealt with. Innovation and the development of technology and infrastructure will be encouraged for managing waste as a resource and waste avoidance.
The policy will align the approach by government, business and the community, with global directions to reduce the environmental, health and safety footprint of manufactured goods through design, manufacture, supply chain, consumption, and at end-of-life through a national approach to product stewardship rather than state-by-state regulation (which would distort national markets).
This policy statement articulates the aims, outcome and principles to guide action, sets key directions and priority strategies for national waste management and resource recovery policy to 2020, and provides a mechanism for measuring progress and responding to change.
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The objective of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council is to ensure the protection of the environment and heritage of Australia and New Zealand.
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