Crunch-time Arrives for Wasteful Industries
Wednesday, 17 March 2004 10:00
The Statement, targeting problem wastes such as computers, tyres and plastic bags, gives producers 12 months to take responsibility for their products after consumers have used them.
"It's crunch-time for industry, which must now match its words with actions," said Jeff Angel, TEC Director. "If resource recovery targets aren't met within 12 months, producers will have no reason to complain when strict regulations are imposed."
"The spotlight has now shifted from feel-good statements to actual performance on the take-back of troublesome post-consumer products. It's no longer acceptable for industry to pay lip service to sustainability while pushing wasteful, toxic products onto consumers. The decades of failed voluntary schemes can now come to an end."
"The community now recognises that producers are best placed to take responsibility for post-consumer waste because they design products in the first place and can make them more recyclable," said Mr Angel. "Voluntary schemes have been unable to stop millions of toxic products going to landfill. They are also unfair to the leading companies that are responsible about the waste they create."
"We now have a way to tackle the growing mountains of landfills at its very source. The Government can now make good on its waste reduction targets that have not been met."
"We expect the Government to hold to this commitment to get tough on these polluting industries. To back away from mandatory regulations if targets are unmet would be to short-change the community on environmental protection."
Computers, TVs, NiCad batteries, tyres and plastic bags have been targeted for take-back regulations if producers fail to deliver within 12 months. Arsenic treated timber, mobile phones and whitegoods have also been put on notice for future action if industry schemes fail to deliver.
Extended Producer Responsibility programs are already in place across Europe, Asia and the US where producers must take back their products, improve collection and recycling rates, and cease using toxic chemicals.
For further information
Contact
:
Jane Castle / Jeff Angel
Phone
:
61 2 9299 5599
Email
:
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