By Margaret Maccoll
The recycling crisis following China’s rejection of Australia’s recycled material may force Australia to become a more responsible nation when it comes to recycling, Noosa Parks Association guests were told at last Friday’s forum.
Last July China decided it would no longer take foreign waste which from Australia amounted to an annual average of about 619,000 tonnes of materials.
Noosa Council’s Waste Education Officer said Australia could follow the lead of some European countries and create a circular economy where materials are recycled and reused in the economy. Sweden recycles 99 per cent of household waste and some countries stipulate companies creating products such as plastic containers take responsibility for its disposal.
A Noosa Council spokesman encouraged residents to continue recycling.
“Our Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan 2016-2024 and our Towards Zero Waste campaign prioritise recycling and include strategies to increase waste diversion in line with goals set by the state,” he said.
“At least for now, we are fortunate to be in a better position than many Australian councils as our recycling contractor, Visy, has confirmed it still has a market for our recyclables. Noosa residents are champion recyclers – our contamination rates are among the lowest achieved anywhere in Australia. The lower our contamination rates, the greater the market that exists for our recyclables.
“However, these are uncertain times, which is why Noosa, like other Australian councils, sees value in developing long-term solutions. We are pleased to work with the LGAQ to consider solutions and we support the LGAQ’s call for leadership from the state and federal governments on this national issue.”
At a Queensland waste forum held last week in Bundaberg State Environment Minister Leanne Enoch said she was meeting with local government representatives “to discuss practical opportunities in local communities”.
“I want to encourage out-of-the-box thinking and group dialogue on smarter, innovative options to better manage, reuse and recycle waste,” she said.
Waste Recycling Industry Queensland CEO Rick Ralph said a national approach was needed and there was an opportunity for Australia to re-focus on how we manage waste.
On Monday a Senate Inquiry hearing was held in Brisbane following others in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Chaired by Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson the inquiry hearing into the recycling crisis heard from Ipswich Mayor and representatives from the LGAQ, Brisbane City Council and the recycling industry.Issues covered included the future of recycling following the China ban on imports, the Queensland waste levy and the new federal government rubbish plan for dealing with waste.
