Australia
Australia is actively engaged in international efforts to address the world?s growing
waste management issues. We?ve also recently focused these efforts domestically.
In 2009, Australia adopted a new national waste policy. At the highest level, the aims
of the national waste policy are to:
? avoid the generation of waste, reducing the amount of waste (including
hazardous waste) for disposal;
? manage waste as a resource;
? ensure that waste treatment, disposal, recovery and re-use is undertaken
in a safe, scientific and environmentally sound manner; and
? contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, energy
conservation and production, water efficiency and the productivity of the
land.
As we heard earlier, the Secretary-General?s Report provides valuable information
on waste management. It identifies elements of a way forward, and I?d like to give an
Australian perspective on these.
The first element is comprehensive national and local policies on waste management
? as just mentioned, Australia adopted a new national waste policy in 2009.
The second element is investment in research and development of low cost and fit
for purpose waste management options ? in Australia this will be particularly
important in our regional and remote areas.
The third element is transferring appropriate technologies and know-how for waste
treatment, recycling, re-use and disposal ? Australia has just completed an analysis
of waste technology and innovation which will be available shortly.
The fourth element is building capacity and providing policy makers in developing
and transition countries with tools for financing waste management ? Australia
believes that a focus on these elements as part of building national waste
management frameworks in developing countries is crucial for achieving sustainable
development.
A further element is addressing emerging waste streams, such as electronic waste,
plastics, used oils and chemicals ? Australia is developing national product
stewardship legislation and arrangements to manage e-waste, and is building on
existing arrangements for recovering used oil, chemicals and plastic packaging.
The final element of a way forward is improving the quality of data on the current
amount of different types of waste generated, as well as on the expected future
amounts, in order to develop projections which will allow adequate planning ?
Australia will soon publish a report on national data on waste and resource recovery.
In our recent experience of implementing our new national waste policy, these
elements identified above and detailed in the Secretary-General?s Report are key
drivers of success and we endorse them as key areas for CSD action.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.
waste management issues. We?ve also recently focused these efforts domestically.
In 2009, Australia adopted a new national waste policy. At the highest level, the aims
of the national waste policy are to:
? avoid the generation of waste, reducing the amount of waste (including
hazardous waste) for disposal;
? manage waste as a resource;
? ensure that waste treatment, disposal, recovery and re-use is undertaken
in a safe, scientific and environmentally sound manner; and
? contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, energy
conservation and production, water efficiency and the productivity of the
land.
As we heard earlier, the Secretary-General?s Report provides valuable information
on waste management. It identifies elements of a way forward, and I?d like to give an
Australian perspective on these.
The first element is comprehensive national and local policies on waste management
? as just mentioned, Australia adopted a new national waste policy in 2009.
The second element is investment in research and development of low cost and fit
for purpose waste management options ? in Australia this will be particularly
important in our regional and remote areas.
The third element is transferring appropriate technologies and know-how for waste
treatment, recycling, re-use and disposal ? Australia has just completed an analysis
of waste technology and innovation which will be available shortly.
The fourth element is building capacity and providing policy makers in developing
and transition countries with tools for financing waste management ? Australia
believes that a focus on these elements as part of building national waste
management frameworks in developing countries is crucial for achieving sustainable
development.
A further element is addressing emerging waste streams, such as electronic waste,
plastics, used oils and chemicals ? Australia is developing national product
stewardship legislation and arrangements to manage e-waste, and is building on
existing arrangements for recovering used oil, chemicals and plastic packaging.
The final element of a way forward is improving the quality of data on the current
amount of different types of waste generated, as well as on the expected future
amounts, in order to develop projections which will allow adequate planning ?
Australia will soon publish a report on national data on waste and resource recovery.
In our recent experience of implementing our new national waste policy, these
elements identified above and detailed in the Secretary-General?s Report are key
drivers of success and we endorse them as key areas for CSD action.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.
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