Outcomes of the Waste Authority meeting held on 9 December 2020

Key outcomes of the Waste Authority meeting

Key outcomes of the Waste Authority’s 9 December 2020 meeting

Following its previous meeting where the Waste Authority received a presentation from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the Waste Authority was pleased to note that WasteSorted communications has now been included within the new WA Museum Boola Bardip, which officially opened on 21 November 2020 in the Perth Cultural Centre.  Staff from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Division are currently working with the WA Museum on building in waste education content for digital experiences and presentations over the next school year.

In-principle approval was provided by the Waste Authority for a more streamlined and effective Waste Wise Schools grants program, to be implemented for the 2022 school year, to improve the efficiency of the program and drive further improvement in schools waste management and recycling practices.  The Waste Wise Schools grants, which have been in place since 2007, assist schools to purchase infrastructure that supports waste avoidance and resource recovery.

The Waste Authority noted key outcomes of the recent meeting of the Program Risk and Performance Committee (PRPC) held on 10 November 2020.  The PRPC provides oversight and guidance to the Waste Authority on risk management, program evaluation and financial reporting.

The Waste Authority discussed further consultation with the construction and demolition sector, to identify key issues and actions required to ensure the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 target of 75% material recovery by 2030 is achieved.  The first phase of this consultation will include a survey in early 2021, inviting feedback on issues and additional actions to further support C&D recycling.       

The Waste Authority noted the significant waste reform work underway by the Department, including the review of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007, which closed on 25 November 2020.  Consultation on the Waste not, want not: Valuing waste as a resource: Discussion paper - Legislative framework for waste-derived materials consultation is currently underway, and closes on 18 December 2020.

The release of the State Government’s Plan for Plastics on 8 November 2020 was noted by the Waste Authority.  The plan includes a range of single-use plastics to be phased-out in Western Australia in two streams by 2023 and 2026; plastic free precincts; and behaviour change to support the phase out and transition to a cleaner environment.

The Waste Authority was pleased to note that over 59 million containers were returned in the first two months of the Container Deposit Scheme Containers for Change program.

A joint planning session of the Waste Authority and the Program Risk and Performance Committee will be held on 3 February 2021 to inform the development of the 2021-22 Waste Strategy Action Plan and subsequent 2021-22 Business Plan.

The Waste Authority confirmed its 2021-22 meeting schedule.  The next formal meeting of the Waste Authority will be held on 7 April 2021.

Created Date:
Wed 16 December 2020

Last Edit Date:
Fri 2 September 2022