The annual report for 2020–21 was tabled in Parliament on 11 November 2021.
In February 2019, the then Minister for Environment, Stephen Dawson, launched the Waste avoidance and resource recovery strategy 2030 (waste strategy), which is accompanied by an action plan which is reviewed annually.
The waste strategy and its action plan provide the State Government, Waste Authority, local government, industry and community with a clear picture of our current waste issues and a roadmap of where we need to go.
The waste strategy aims for Western Australia to become a sustainable, low-waste circular economy in which human health and the environment are protected from the impacts of waste. The strategy has three key objectives: to avoid waste, recover more value and resources from waste, and protect the environment and human health from the impacts of waste.
Together with the Minister for Environment and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, the Waste Authority is working to implement the waste strategy and remain focused on its three key objectives.
In 2020–21, the Waste Authority delivered important programs such as Better Bins, Household Hazardous Waste, Roads to Reuse, Charitable Recyclers Dumping Reduction, WasteSorted communications, Waste Wise Schools and grants for education and recycling infrastructure. Funding was also allocated for waste data collection systems, waste policy advice and reforms, compliance and enforcement, and initiatives such as the development of waste reforms, consultation on single-use plastics, the Keep Australia Beautiful Council and the Plastic Free Foundation.
While the challenges and opportunities ahead are significant, the Waste Authority is confident that collectively we are well placed to move towards a more sustainable, low-waste future. We will continue to work collaboratively with our many stakeholders to enable this important vision.
