Page 523 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 June 1989
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As I announced on World Environment Day, I have already asked my department to review recycling and work is proceeding with this. I now see this inquiry providing a focus for this work. A competitive commercial waste industry already operates within the ACT, collecting some 50,000 tonnes per annum. Much of this waste has the potential to be recycled, and there is the need to assess the components within this waste stream, their recycled potential and methods and mechanisms for extraction at the source of recycling.
Methods of encouraging the private sector, which primarily produces this waste, towards recycling must be a major objective. The encouragement of recycling is a major task and challenge, and the ACT Government must take the lead in this regard.
Recycling for the sake of recycling is not beneficial to anyone. It should be based on economic appraisal of collection and recycling costs against demand and sale price for the end product with allowance for other savings and derived benefits, such as saving in landfill disposal costs, conserved natural resources and the effect on the environment. Avenues for guaranteed use of the recycled product and deposits on products need to be addressed as means of encouraging recycling.
In line with the situation I have outlined, I would see the inquiry addressing the following solid waste management practices: options for efficient collection of domestic waste; options for stimulating recycling of domestic waste, including glass, paper, plastic, metals and the impact of collection systems on recycling performance; options for improving commercial waste disposal, in particular the economic recycling of resources; and measures that the ACT Government could introduce to encourage recycling.
A detailed inquiry addressing these issues will not only provide a long-term waste strategy for the ACT but will also ensure that the ACT has an efficient and effective waste collection and disposal system with appropriate emphasis on recycling and the environment in the years ahead. I commend the terms of reference for the inquiry to the house.
MR HUMPHRIES (10.45): Mr Speaker, as chairman of the Conservation, Heritage and Environment Committee - - -
A member: And the shadow Minister.
MR HUMPHRIES: And the shadow Minister indeed, I welcome this initiative from the Government. I believe that the terms of reference that have been put to my committee are timely. I have had discussions in the last few weeks with people involved in environment issues, in recycling issues and in related areas. I am pleased to say that I have had
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