China waste restriction prompts local recycling initiatives
The NSW Government this year announced a one-off package of up to $47 million to support local government and industry to respond to China’s National Sword Policy which restricts the types of recycled material China will accept for processing. The draft policy for a dynamic Circular Economy for NSW was also released in response.
Reconditioning a chair for Circular Economy.
The NSW community has a strong history of kerbside recycling which the EPA is keen to see continued.
Funding has been made available to local councils and industry to:
- enable councils to off-set extra costs associated with kerbside recycling collections
- improve council tendering processes to increase the production and use of recycled products, and
- fund community education initiatives to reduce kerbside recycling contamination.
The package also includes $9.5 million for industry and local government to co-invest in infrastructure projects to identify new uses for recyclable materials and to reduce the amount of unrecyclable material left at the end of the process.
Baled cardboard at a waste transfer station.
The EPA has been partnering with other government agencies to work on long-term policy solutions to the National Sword issue.
The EPA is now working with Roads and Maritime Services, Treasury, Department of Finance, Services and Innovation, Department of Planning and Environment and Fire and Rescue NSW on a number of priority projects that will help to stimulate demand for recycled products in government procurement, streamline the planning process, reform the commercial framework for industry and local government and embed Circular Economy principles in government policy.
A circular economy is all about valuing our resources, by getting as much use out of products and materials as possible and reducing the amount of waste we generate.
The EPA also continues to support recycling efforts through programs such as the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, and with the ongoing support from government, local councils and the recycling industry we remain committed to recycling in NSW.
Resources to go full circle through Circular Economy
The NSW Government’s draft Circular Economy Policy introduces a fresh way to think about resource management and deliver positive economic, social and environmental outcomes for the NSW community.
Circular economy can also be great for business; by maximising the use of our valuable resources, and by contributing to innovation, growth and job creation.
The draft policy drew strong interest with over 60 community representatives attending an information workshop. The discussion paper is now closed for comment but the policy statement can be found on the EPA website