In a historic day for waste management and resource recovery in Tasmania, the Container Refund Scheme Bill 2021 and the Waste and Resource Recovery Bill 2021 have been passed by the Parliament.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is getting on with our clear plan to reduce litter and build a circular economy in Tasmania.
The Waste and Resource Recovery Bill 2021 establishes a state-wide waste levy that will encourage the diversion of materials from landfill, and drive investment into alternatives to landfill, so more materials will be recovered from the waste streams and turned into new and valuable products.
This is a win for the environment and for jobs, with the levy expected to support the creation of up to 130 new full-time positions in the waste and resource recovery sector once the maximum levy rate is reached.
Importantly, the Bill also establishes a Waste and Resource Recovery Board that will develop a state-wide waste strategy for Tasmania and allocate funds from the levy to implement it.
The Container Refund Scheme Bill 2021 is another long-awaited piece of legislation that will reduce litter in Tasmania by rewarding Tasmanians for directing their used drink containers into recycling, which is a win for the environment and our circular economy.
Under the Scheme, Tasmanians will receive a 10-cent refund for returning eligible drink containers to designated Refund Points around the State.
Tasmanian charities and community groups will also be able to take part by collecting containers, receiving donations, or operating return points and receiving a handling fee.
This ensures that charities and community groups, big and small, have plentiful opportunities to be part of the Scheme, and to benefit from it.
Our Government is committed to reducing waste and growing a circular economy in Tasmania and these Bills will benefit our State for decades to come.