Wednesday 15 November 2023
WMRR WELCOMES TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT’S WARR STRATEGY
The Tasmanian Government’s Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2023-2026 is a good start and will provide a firm foundation on which to create a circular economy in Tasmania, the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) said today.
WMRR Chief Executive Officer Gayle Sloan welcomed the strategy and thanked the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Roger Jaensch MP for launching it today at our Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Forum in Launceston.
“This strategy is a really good starting point and builds on Tasmania’s commitment to grow and develop the waste and resource recovery industry, with the introduction of the landfill levy in Tasmania and the establishment of the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Board in 2022,” she said.
“WMRR agrees that Tasmania is uniquely placed to ensure that nothing is wasted. By taking advantage of its geographic location, strong local partnerships, and placing a value on all materials, Tasmania can move quickly to a circular economy that creates new green jobs.
“Industry is looking forward to working with the Board on its investment framework to ensure the best use of the levy funds - not just to develop facilities – but to create necessary local markets.
“The focus on keeping organic waste out of landfill is particularly critical for the environment because when landfilled it emits methane, a gas with 28 times greater warming potential than carbon dioxide.
“We recognise there are a number of policies still required in Tasmania to create the correct conditions for success, including pathways for resource recovery, as well as the introduction of other schemes that are operating nationally such as the Container Deposit Scheme and single use plastics.
“However, the reality is Tasmania has come a very long way in only a short time.
“WMRR wishes to congratulate and thank the Minister and the Tasmanian Waste and Recovery Board, especially its unstoppable chair Pam Allan, in finalising this strategy and setting the path ahead for Tasmania.” Ms Sloan said.