WA – biggest waster, poor recycler

Wednesday, 18 October 2006 22:38

“We don’t think that is because West Australians are any less environmentally concerned than other Australians, but there is a severe lack of recycling facilities and producer involvement.  The report shows that if the present situation continues then there will be a rapidly widening gap between actual waste recycled and generated and government policy goals,” said Jeff Angel, Executive Director of Total Environment Centre.

“The State Government has begun the process of tackling this problem with its moves to introduce deposits on cans and bottles and the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Bill.  Landfill levies also play an important role.  Market based instruments in a clear regulatory setting with goals and compliance can help both industry and the community to deliver,” he said.

“The report should really give momentum to industry and environment group plans for extended producer responsibility and new resource recovery facilities.  We are aware of key industry recalcitrance but it should not be tolerated,” said Sue Graham Taylor, Senior Vice President of the Conservation Council of WA.

The report shows that a total of 4.5 million tonnes of waste was produced in 2004 and less than 20% was recycled.  This is equivalent to 0.4 tonnes recycled per person compared to 0.3 in Queensland, 0.9 in Victoria and NSW and 1.4 in South Australia.  Waste generated per capita is the worst in Australia. The dollar value of the resources lost to landfill is estimated to be over $250million, every year.

It also found the gap each year between actual waste disposed and resource recovery will grow unless planned waste avoidance activities curb waste generation rates and innovative market based solutions are used to grow a robust recycling industry in Western Australia.  Left unchecked, waste generation in WA could rise to over 10 million tonnes per annum by 2020, with 9 million tonnes wasted to landfill.

State of Waste in WA