Waste not, want not: Valuing waste as a resource: Discussion paper

Overview

The Government of Western Australia has released the Waste not, want not: Valuing waste as a resource discussion paper, and is seeking feedback on the proposed legislative framework for waste-derived materials.

The proposed legislative amendments will provide certainty about when waste-derived materials are no longer waste, meaning that licensing under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 would not be required and waste levy requirements would not be triggered where relevant. 

Implementation of the legislative framework will support the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 by encouraging use of waste-derived materials to build confidence in recycled products, increase their demand and develop relevant markets while protecting the environment.

Key aspects of the framework include:

• amendment to the definition of waste to clarify that waste-derived materials cease to be waste when used in accordance with a relevant waste-derived materials (WDM) determination
• granting of WDM determinations by the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the department). WDM determinations would outline the circumstances under which a waste-derived material would cease to be waste for the purposes of the environmental protection and waste levy regimes
• the WDM determinations would consist of:
  1. a WDM product specification – applies to the producer and outlines the conditions to be met to supply a waste-derived material for use in ways that would otherwise require a licence
  2. a WDM declaration – applies to users and outlines the conditions to be met in order for the waste-derived material to cease to be waste and not require a licence for the land on which it is used nor payment of the waste levy (where applicable).

The discussion paper builds on the Waste not, want not: Valuing waste as a resource issues paper, released in June 2019. The issues paper sought comments on the preferred legislative framework for Western Australia and the discussion paper is the next step in developing the framework. The department has also published a Consultation summary report for the issues paper. 

You are invited to share your views on the proposed legislative framework, by making a submission to the department by 5pm (WST) 18 December 2020 – refer to the online survey below. 

Your feedback will help inform the development of the legislative framework for waste-derived materials in Western Australia. 

Please see below for the related document:

Waste not, want not: Valuing waste as a resource: Discussion paper – Proposed legislative framework for waste-derived materials

Should you have any queries on the consultation process please contact us on wastereform@dwer.wa.gov.au
 
Give us your views 

We would prefer you to provide your comments through completion of:
Online survey 

However, you can also send submissions to wastereform@dwer.wa.gov.au. A Word version of the online survey questions is available on request.

About making a submission

If you make a submission, please be aware that in doing so, you are consenting to it being treated as a part of a public document. Your name will be published; however, your contact address will be withheld for privacy. If you do not consent to your submission being treated as part of a public document, you should either mark it as confidential, or specifically identify what information you consider to be confidential, and include an explanation. Please note that even if your submission is treated as confidential by the department, it may still be disclosed in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1992, or any other applicable written law. The department reserves the right before publishing a submission to delete any content that could be regarded as racially vilifying, derogatory or defamatory to an individual or an organisation.

Stakeholder information sessions

The department is holding an information session from 10–11.30am on Monday, 16 November 2020. You can register your interest in attending by emailing wastereform@dwer.wa.gov.au with your name and preferred contact details using the header ‘waste-derived materials – info session register’ before 13 November 2020

Related webpage 

Read further information on the Waste not, want not - Discussion paper consultation page, including a consultation summary report.