Waste Reform Consultation

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has released two waste reform papers for public comment:

• Closing the loop: Waste reforms for a circular economy – consultation paper
• Review of the waste levy – consultation paper

Both papers relate to the implementation of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 (Waste Strategy 2030) and explore options to improve Western Australia’s waste performance.

Although the two papers contain separate items for public comment, there are important linkages relating to the waste levy.

Closing the loop includes specific legislative proposals to address issues identified in previous consultation on waste reform, while the consultation for the waste levy review canvasses broader strategic issues related to the future of the levy’s design.

This consultation approach allows the State Government to keep progressing existing work to ensure the levy is applied effectively while it investigates longer-term issues.

Public information sessions will also be arranged to support the dual consultation process.

The two papers should also be considered alongside other waste reform projects in progress at the department, including the development of a legislative framework for waste-derived materials.

Please note the submission date has been extended from 15 May to 15 July 2020.

Download our Waste Reform consultation information sheet. 

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Current waste reform projects

The Department is progressing a number of waste reform projects to support the objectives of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 (Waste Strategy 2030), which included the two current consultations - Closing the Loop: Waste reforms for a circular economy, and the Review of the Waste Levy.

Other concluded, current or upcoming waste reform projects include:

• amendments to the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Regulations 2008 (WARR Regulations) to require recordkeeping and reporting of waste and recycling data from local governments, waste recyclers and licensees of major regional landfills
• Western Australia’s Container Deposit Scheme – Containers for Change
• review of the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004
• review of the uncontaminated fill thresholds in Table 6 of the Landfill Waste Classification and Waste Definitions 1996 (as amended 2018)
• proposed amendments to the WARR Levy Regulations to require the use of weighbridges for Category 63, 64 and 65 landfill premises to calculate leviable waste
• development of a legislative framework for waste derived materials

The Department also recently consulted on amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1986  to modernise this Act, to protect human health and the environment, and ensure sustainable development can occur for the benefit of all Western Australians.