✦ Plain-English Summary

Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020

What it does

The government can now control which types of waste Australia exports and set conditions on how it's shipped overseas. Companies that want to export waste have to get permission and declare what they're sending. If someone lies about what waste they're exporting or breaks the rules, they can face penalties.

Why it matters

A lot of Australia's recyclables and rubbish end up in other countries, sometimes in places without proper recycling facilities or environmental protections. This bill gives Australia the power to stop dodgy waste exports and make sure our rubbish doesn't become someone else's pollution problem.

Key details

• What can be controlled: The government sets out which materials count as "regulated waste" that needs export permission
• Penalties for lying: People who knowingly or recklessly give false information about waste they're exporting face legal consequences
• Exemptions available: Companies can apply to the Minister for permission to export waste even if it's normally restricted, though this can come with conditions or be cancelled if things change

Official Description

Introduced with the Recycling and Waste Reduction (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2020, Recycling and Waste Reduction Charges (General) Bill 2020, Recycling and Waste Reduction Charges (Customs) Bill 2020 and Recycling and Waste Reduction Charges (Excise) Bill 2020, the bill establishes a framework to: regulate the export of waste materials, in line with the agreement to ban the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres by the Council of Australian Governments in 2020; manage the environmental, health and safety impacts of products, in particular those impacts associated with the disposal of products; and provide for voluntary, co-regulatory and mandatory product stewardship schemes.

Committee Referrals

Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.