Page 2319 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 29 August 2007

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

Targets for individual material types have not been established under the no waste strategy. Instead, we have focused on a clear strategy of actions and initiatives required to move us towards no waste. The progressive implementation of these actions and initiatives has delivered the current 76 per cent resource recovery rate of all waste generated in the ACT. The future initiatives of the next action plan will build on the government’s current no waste success.

Waste generation in the ACT, Australia and most developed countries continues to rise at an alarming rate. On average, an additional 30,000 tonnes of waste is generated in the ACT each year. We are an affluent society with high consumption patterns that result in high waste levels. Research tells us that a great deal of goods and materials purchased are not consumed or used and ultimately are discarded.

I agree with Dr Foskey the waste production and generation need to be addressed and I note that the Waste Minimisation Act 2001 establishes a waste management hierarchy of avoidance, reuse, recycling and reprocessing, and disposal as a last option. The act also has the objective of minimising consumption of our precious natural resources. Waste avoidance and resource efficiency policies and programs continue to be developed and implemented through my department’s sustainable policy and program initiatives, targeting businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and the general community.

The third paragraph of Dr Foskey’s motion reads:

(3) adopt measures to achieve the No Waste by 2010 target that include:

(a) siting recycling bins beside all landfill rubbish bins in town centres;

(b) a scheme for the safe disposal of fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs;

(d) a green waste mulching scheme;

(e) mandatory paper and cardboard recycling for commercial operations;

(f) the pick up and compost of commercial kitchen waste; and

(g) ending the use of skips and trash-packs for mixed waste and recycling dumping at landfill sites.

Many of the no waste initiatives that are currently being implemented address the areas outlined by Dr Foskey. I also want to highlight areas where further work will be required before some waste items can be targeted for resource recovery. Currently we are trialling public place recycling systems in Glebe Park and, over time, we will expand these systems to other areas that justify public place recycling. However, we must first ensure that we can overcome the problems associated with high levels of garbage contamination in public place recycling systems.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .