Industry views sought on export of waste tyres, PFAS disposal options, managing recovered fines and organics
National and State governments have a number of inquiries and discussion papers out for industry comment at the moment.
These include
- National – Discussion Paper on Waste Tyre Export ban – Due 24 September
- SA Inquiry into PFAS contaminated waste disposal – Due 6 October
- NSW Recovered Soil Order and Exemption – Due 29 October
- Draft Queensland Organics Strategy 2022-2032– Due 1 November
National Food Waste Strategy feasibility study released
The Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre (FIAL) has found it is feasible to halve Australia’s food waste by 2030 but it will require ‘unprecedented action by governments, industry and the community.’
In 2017 the Federal Government released the National Food Waste Strategy which committed to a target of halving Australia’s food waste by 2030 with Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre (FIAL) charged with facilitating the strategy’s implementation.
National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) CEO Rose Read welcomed the release of the feasibility study, particularly the detailed road map for reaching the 2030 target.
“According to the National Waste Report 2020 almost 5.3 Mt of food waste was generated in 2018-19, and while food waste going to landfill has been decreasing (7% over three years) the Report is clear that if the trends continue in terms of food waste generated and disposed of, the 50% reduction will not be met,” said Ms Read.
The feasibility study reviews several scenarios for the effective reduction of food waste and concluded that ‘combining policies that support and stimulate the private sector with voluntary, industry led initiatives produces the combination of ‘levers’ with the best chance of halving food waste by 2030 within a feasible investment range’.
The interventions required to meet the target were grouped into three categories
- Behaviour change campaigns (e.g. national consumer campaign)
- Policy led interventions (e.g. investment in infrastructure, grants, tax credits or incentives)
- Industry led interventions (e.g. improved date labelling, resale and donation, cold chain improvements)
The report indicates where funding needs to come from for the interventions to occur, including Federal and State Governments, industry as well as philanthropy.
The roadmap to success shows a pathway of reducing food waste from an estimated 8.2 Mt in 2022 (based on latest data and projected population growth) down to 4.4 Mt in 2030 but is contingent on the following:
- Retailers achieving zero food waste targets
- 60% Reduction of food waste in manufacturing and distribution
- 60% Reduction of food waste in primary production
- 30% Reduction of food waste in households
- 60% Reduction of food waste in hospitality and food service
“A focus on reducing food waste is vital if we are to reach our target of 80% resource recovery by 2030. This feasibility study and accompanying road map provide a solid plan that now requires government, industry, business and the community to come together to execute,” Ms Read said.