National Waste Policy

The National Waste Policy sets a clear direction for Australia for the next 10 years and will update and integrate Australia’s policy and regulatory framework. It will build on existing settings by providing a nationally agreed direction and focus that will be implemented by individual jurisdictions within their borders and collective action by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments. The policy encompasses wastes, including hazardous wastes and substances, in the municipal, commercial and industrial, construction and demolition waste streams and covers liquid, gaseous and solid wastes. Radioactive waste is excluded.
The policy sets directions in six key areas and identifies 16 strategies across these areas. The strategies are designed to:

• provide a coherent, comprehensive national framework for waste management, resource recovery and the avoidance of waste over the next decade
• enable Australia to meet its international obligations in regard to the management of hazardous wastes and substances and persistent organic pollutants into the future and reduce the risk and legacy for future generations
• address market impediments and streamline the regulatory frameworks so that national companies and small businesses can operate effectively and efficiently and manage products and materials responsibly during and at end of life
• provide national leadership on waste and resource recovery where it is needed and facilitate collaboration between the states on national issues.
• contribute to climate change, sustainability, innovation and employment opportunities, and
• be high impact and cost effective by setting clear national directions and through collaborative, carefully targeted action that incrementally builds on the existing efforts of governments over a ten year period.

The National Waste Policy was finalised following the release of a discussion paper and a subsequent consultation program earlier in 2009. EPHC endorsed the National Waste Policy on 5 November 2009.

The National Waste Policy can be found below. 

The associated Regulation Impact Statement is available on the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts' website.  http://www.environment.gov.au/wastepolicy/resources.html.

The National Waste Policy Implementation Plan was endorsed by EPHC on 5 July 2010. The plan will ensure progress across all six key directions of the policy. The Implementation Plan can be found below.

EPHC National Waste Policy Working Groups - Terms of Reference

On the 6 December 2010, EPH Standing Committee endorsed the terms of reference for each of the eight EPHC National Waste Policy working groups. The working groups are:

1. Product Stewardship
2. Markets and Standards
3. Landfill Management
4. Commercial & Industry, Construction & Demolition and Governments
5. Reducing Hazard & Risk
6. Regional and Remote
7. Data
8. National Waste Policy Implementation

The endorsed terms of reference set out the purpose and objectives for each of the working groups in order to achieve commitments made by the Australian Government under the National Waste Policy Implementation Plan.

The terms of reference for each working group can be downloaded from below.

Contact details for the chairs of the working groups:

Product Stewardship
Ms Kelly Pearce (Australian Government)
02 6274 1111

Markets and Standards
Mr Alex Young (NSW)
02 9995 5000

Mr Scott McKenzie (Vic)
03 9695 2722

Landfill Management
Ms Laura-lee Innes (Vic)
03 9695 2722

Commercial & Industry, Construction & Demolition and Governments
Mr Warren Muller (Qld)
13 7468

Reducing Hazard & Risk
Mr Barry Reville (Australian Government)
02 6274 1111

Regional and Remote
Mr Stuart Cowie (WA)
08 6467 5000

Data
Mr Barry Reville (Australian Government)
02 6274 1111

Mr Alex Young (NSW)
02 9995 5000

Implementation Working Group
Dr Diana Wright (Australian Government)
02 6274 1111

Dr Tony Roberts (Qld)
13 7468