Call for more action on resource recovery targets

The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association (WMRR) has welcomed the opening of the Visy drum pulper in Victoria, which will add a further 95,000 tonnes of fibre processing capacity to the sector each year. It also announced two separate plastic recycling projects, saving 11,600 tonnes from landfill.

Though the facility is a step forward, WMRR CEO Gayle Sloan has said that a lot more needs to be done across the nation to meet the Australian Government’s target of 80% resource recovery by 2030. Australia needs additional onshore manufacturing capacity and new domestic markets for recycled material.

“To achieve the 80% resource recovery target set by all Australian governments, the waste and resource recovery industry needs to be supported to add 10 million tonnes of capacity in seven years, especially given the export ban on recyclable material is expanding to include paper,” Sloan said.

This is only achievable by increased demand for recycled materials and the development of world-class onshore facilities.

According to Sloan, this requires a commitment to streamline planning processes to enable quick and efficient delivery of this infrastructure. It also requires a clear regulatory framework which will force generators to design for extended life and for the ability to recycle.

“This is not only good for the environment; it is good for Australian jobs,” Sloan said.

Image credit: iStock.com/CHUYN