The EPA announced at this years’ Australian Waste and Recycling Expo (ARWE) it is developing legal instruments to force government departments and agencies to consider the use of recovered and recycled material in infrastructure projects. The EPA proposes to use previously ignored powers to publish a Protection of the Environment Policy (PEP) which would legally oblige government departments to prioritise recovered and recycled materials. This process would be a significant intervention to support a circular economy and would bring major benefits to the construction and demolition waste sector.
What are Protection of the Environment Policies?
The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 enables the NSW government to set out binding policies to adopt more innovative approaches to reducing pollution. PEPs are instruments for setting environmental standards, goals, protocols and guidelines. PEPs provide both the framework for Government decisions that affect the environment and the means of adopting Australia-wide environment protection measures set by the National Environment Protection Council.
What comes next?
Before a PEP can be made, the POEO Act requires public consultation on the draft PEP, and an analysis of the economic and social impact of the PEP.
What does it mean?
Government infrastructure projects are a significant part of the construction sector and so a PEP would result in significant uptake of recovered and recycled construction and demolition waste.
What should you do?
It is important that those in the construction and demolition waste recycling sector take an active part in the upcoming consultation process. This will ensure that the policy will be fit for purpose and cover the various activities in the sector.
Once published, we can advise on how the draft PEP may impact your business and how to engage with the EPA to ensure it delivers the outcomes promised.
We act for many leading business in the construction and demolition waste recycling sector and are advisors to the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association.
