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EPR Reference Database

Publication type: Report

Review of the product stewardship act and national television and computer recycling scheme

Abstract/summary

Australia has a sound National Waste Policy that heralds a coherent, efficient and environmentally responsible approach to waste management to 2020. A key strategy of the Policy is product stewardship framework legislation – the Product Stewardship Act 2011 (the ‘Act’) – to reduce environmental and other impacts of products across their life cycle. July 2016 marked the fifth anniversary of the Act. The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (‘NTCRS’ or the ‘Scheme’) was the first producer responsibility scheme to be established under the Act which came into effect on 8 August 2011. The NTCRS has been a significant success and must be continued, diverting from landfill and safely recycling approximately 184,500 tonnes of e-waste since 2012, achieving a 99% compliance rate by manufacturers/importers, providing in excess of 900 free community collection points and events across Australia and supports local jobs in the recycling and transport industries. The NTCRS was implemented approximately 10 years after the European Union (EU) legislation, yet Australia has already met or exceeded the recycling levels achieved by the EU for televisions and computers. The legislative review of the operation of the Act and its subordinate legislation was announced by the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy, on 10 March 2017. One of the review focus areas is the operation and scope of the NTCRS. The review provides an opportunity to analyse and implement recommendations from key learnings gained from the first five years of the Scheme and from best practices employed in international product stewardship schemes. It also presents an opportunity for all levels of government to create greater alignment in policy setting to manage e-waste in accordance with the waste hierarchy. Further, it provides an opportunity to explore how the Scheme can assist in the move to a more circular economy by treating e-waste as a resource, encouraging innovation in recycling, reducing landfilling and educating consumers in order to change behaviour. The Australia and New Zealand Recycling Platform Limited (ANZRP) is an approved Coregulatory Arrangement under the Act. ANZRP made a commitment to its Members to undertake its own independent review of the Scheme and submit its findings and recommendations to the Department of the Environment and Energy (the ‘Department’) via a White Paper. ANZRP’s analysis, findings and recommendations of its review are provided in this White Paper.

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Author(s)
Carmel Dollisson
Carla Vasconi
Brock Baker
Year
2017
Publisher
Australia and New Zealand Recycling Platform Limited
Authors’ organization
Australia and New Zealand Recycling Platform Limited
Number of pages
57
URL
https://www.anzrp.com.au/Downloads/ANZRP-NTCRS-and-PS-Act-Review-White-Paper-FINAL-Aug-secured.pdf
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