Member Opportunity
10 December 2020
Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Bill 2020
On Thursday, 3 December 2020, Hon Meaghan Scanlon, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs, introduced the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Bill 2020 (Bill). The Bill was referred to the Health and Environment Committee (committee) for detailed consideration. The committee is required to report by Friday, 12 February 2021.
Objectives of the Bill
According to the explanatory notes the principal policy objective of the Bill is to amend the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 to ban the supply of single-use plastic items, starting with straws, stirrers, plates and cutlery. These items are predominantly unable to be recovered for recycling through mainstream and widespread collection systems, and can end up contaminating recycling streams thereby potentially creating more waste that requires disposal. The Bill seeks to achieve a reduction in plastic pollution resulting from single-use plastic by 20 per cent by 2023.
The Bill supports delivery of the broader principles of the Queensland Government’s Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy, released on 1 July 2019 and the aims of Tackling Plastic Waste – Queensland’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan to reduce plastic waste and the environmental and economic impacts of plastic pollution.
It should be noted that the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Bill 2020, was referred to the Natural Resources, Agricultural Industry Development and Environment Committee (NRAIDEC) in the 56th Parliament. The NRAIDEC tabled their report on that Bill on Friday, 28 August 2020, however, the Bill lapsed before it was debated in the Parliament when the 56th Parliament was dissolved on Tuesday, 6 October 2020. The subject Bill is substantially the same as the previous Bill.
All documents relating to the former committee's inquiry are available here.
Call for submissions
The committee is seeking submissions on the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Bill 2020. Submissions close at 5.00pm on Wednesday, 13 January 2021.
An information sheet which provides guidelines on making a submission can be found at: Guide to making a submission.
Written submissions should be emailed to hec@parliament.qld.gov.au or can be sent to:
Committee Secretary
Health and Environment Committee
Parliament House
George Street
BRISBANE QLD 4000
Other Information
Documents relating to the committee’s inquiry can be found on the inquiry webpage.