Making product stewardship a priority
The Minister’s priority list (the list) names products and materials that need urgent product stewardship action.
This encourages industry to reduce the negative environmental and human health impacts of products and do business more sustainably.
The list includes:
- the reasons for listing a product
- recommended actions to improve environmental and health outcomes
- timeframes for action.
The list signals that the Minister may consider regulatory measures if industry does not act. Regulatory measures are set out in the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020. Listing products gives industry and the public certainty and transparency about potential regulation.
What is product stewardship?
Product stewardship is about managing products across their lifecycle to protect the environment. It accepts that those involved in designing, manufacturing, selling and disposing of products have a role to play.
Good product stewardship can reduce waste and pollution. It can also limit the use of water and energy in production and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Examples include design to improve longevity and modularity, clean manufacturing, reuse and recycling.
Product Stewardship Circular Economy
Design
- Durable
- Energy and water efficiency
- Eliminate litter
- Reparability and reuse
Manufacture
- Simplify assembly
- Eliminate waste
- Eliminate/minimise emissions
- Efficient use of materials
Logistics
- Resource efficient
- Reusable, recyclable, compostable packaging
- Best practice reverse logistics
Retail
- Infrastructure for end-of-life items
- Enhanced warranties
- Use of digital platforms
Use-phase
- Education to promote environmentally sound product use
- Minimal reliance on ongoing consumables
- Repair and reuse
Post-consumer
- Information about recycling and safe disposal
- Free services to consumers at the point of disposal
Materials
- Renewable
- Recycled
- Low carbon emissions
- No hazardous substances
Changes to the list
Each year, the Minister decides which products to remove or add to the list. For new products, the Minister considers the impact each one has on the environment and human health. The Minister also reviews the progress of listed products.
Industry action
The list includes recommended actions and timing for implementation.
Actions may include:
- research to understand the scale of the issue and how to address it
- better design
- establishing an industry led product stewardship scheme
- increasing participation in an existing scheme.
Some actions may be short term, while other may take longer to put in place.
Action should be industry coordinated and led. It should include stakeholders from across the product lifecycle.
To find out more please contact ministers.stewardship.list@dcceew.gov.au