SA PFAS Inquiry Interim Report
Ahead of the March election, a South Australia parliamentary committee inquiry report has found the state should consider the “economic and environmental consequences” of continuing to send all its PFAS-contaminated waste interstate.
The Environment, Resources and Development Committee recommended exploring whether it would instead be better to dispose of the PFAS – contaminated waste within SA.
The interim report can be found on the South Australia Parliament website by clicking through to the ‘Environment, Resources and Development Committee’ and selecting the ‘PFAS Inquiry’.
APCO PFAS Report released
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) PFAS in Fibre Based Packaging report has been released.
The study’s aim was to identify PFAS in a range of fibre-based, food-contact packaging – where PFAS are often added as a barrier to heat, grease and water – and potential implications for recycled content.
It successfully piloted a way that industry can test for the presence of PFAS, in line with the National PFAS Position Statement to phase out its use where it is possible to do so.
The report can be read in full here.
Launch of national battery recycling scheme
This week, the Battery Stewardship Council launched Australia’s official battery recycling scheme, B-Cycle.
NWRIC CEO Rose Read congratulated the organisation on this milestone achievement.
“We look forward to seeing significant promotion of B-Cycle collection points to consumers.
“Although more than 95% of the materials in batteries can be recycled, currently 90% of batteries in Australia end up in landfills.
“Education is therefore key to ensuring batteries are recycled properly and don’t end up in kerbside red or yellow bins,” Ms Read said.
National E-Waste Discussion Paper feedback reminder
The submission date for the Stewardship for Consumer and Other Electrical and Electronic Products Discussion Paper is fast approaching.
National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) CEO Rose Read encourages industry stakeholders to have their say before submissions closed on Friday, 25 February.
The paper can be accessed and submitted on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s ‘Have your Say’ website.