New national funding for recycling in regional and remote communities
The federal government has announced $7 million funding for recycling in regional and remote Australia through its Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF).
Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the funding would help build new or expand existing recycling facilities to deal with waste glass, plastics, tyres and paper in remote and regional areas.
National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) CEO Rose Read welcomed the announcement and said real effort was needed to address waste and resource recovery services which were lacking in regional and remote areas.
“The Minister has referenced the imbalance that exists when it comes to recycling opportunities outside of metropolitan areas which can be addressed through this Fund.
“In this case there is real imperative for product stewardship schemes to step up and partner with government and industry to cover the costs of putting this necessary recycling infrastructure in place as well as costs for transport and education programs,” Ms Read said.
RMF represents a $190 million commitment to co-invest in critical recycling infrastructure with state and territory governments and industry on a 1:1:1 basis as a response to the COAG Waste Export ban agreed in March 2020.
Landfill gas electricity generators gain five extra years to earn credits
A new version of the Emissions Reduction Fund method that allows operators of existing landfill gas projects that generate electricity to earn carbon credits has been approved.
Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor has gazetted the change that is expected to bring more carbon credits into the market.
It means that companies with existing landfill gas generation projects can earn credits for an extra five years.
National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) CEO Rose Read said it was a good decision.
“Extending the timeframe where companies can earn carbon credits will ensure that emissions continue to be reduced and that there is economic viability for business that capture carbon from landfill,” Ms Read said.
NSW Energy from Waste Infrastructure Plan released
The NSW Government has released its Energy from Waste Infrastructure Plan which outlines the strategic planning considerations for future energy from waste infrastructure and supports its Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041.
National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) CEO Rose Read said while the Plan provides the level of clarity industry seeks, it essentially restricts new energy from waste infrastructure to four priority areas in NSW:
- West Lithgow Precinct
- Parkes Special Activation Precinct
- Richmond Valley Regional Jobs Precinct
- Southern Goulburn Mulwaree Precinct.
“The Plan is welcomed by industry in that it provides clear direction regarding the role of energy from waste in managing NSW’s residual waste including the nature, type and location of energy from waste infrastructure within the State.
“Industry is committed to working with the NSW State Government in delivering best practice energy from waste solutions to deal with residual waste and in doing so create jobs, reduce carbon emissions and boost the State’s economy,” Ms Read said.