To help address the Chinese Government’s import restrictions on recyclable waste, Environment Minister Stephen Dawson has established a taskforce to advise on waste management in Western Australia.
The Waste Taskforce was created following consultation with State and local governments, the waste industry and community stakeholders, with the group’s first meeting anticipated during the week beginning 9 April 2018.
The Taskforce will consider its objectives, scope and governance arrangements at its first meeting. It will provide advice on how to ensure Western Australia can weather the storm of the China decision.
The Taskforce will directly advise the Minister for Environment on recycling market issues and opportunities in WA. This advice will align with national actions to support recycling, the WA Waste Strategy and the promotion of the circular economy. A range of short, medium and long-term opportunities will be explored through the work of the Taskforce.
The Waste Taskforce will be chaired by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment, Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby; and will include representatives from the Waste Authority and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation; local government and regional councils; the waste services and recycling industry; the packaging industry; Aboriginal and community groups; and key government agencies.