Product stewardship is an approach to managing the impacts of different products and materials on the environment and human health and safety. Product stewardship schemes help to manage these impacts over a product’s life-cycle.
These schemes can be:
- industry-led voluntary schemes
- co-regulatory arrangements between industry and government
- mandatory schemes under law.
The Government also works with industry on potential industry-led voluntary action; or where products and materials may be considered for schemes in the future.
Current schemes
Mandatory schemes
Oil
The Government provides industry incentives to increase recycling of used oil.
Co-regulatory arrangements
TVs and computers
We work with industry to run a national recycling scheme for TVs, computers, printers and related hardware.
Plastics and packaging
The Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) requires companies to minimise their packaging waste. The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) received Product Stewardship accreditation in 2022.
Government Accredited industry-led voluntary schemes
Mobile phones
MobileMuster collects and recycles mobile phones, batteries, modems and accessories. This includes running public awareness campaigns to increase uptake in recycling of unused and damaged mobile phones.
Tyres
Tyre Stewardship Australia manage the national Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme. The scheme promotes the development of viable markets for tyre-derived products.
Large plastic bags
Big bag recovery collects and recycles bags used for products over 15kg or 15L that would otherwise be sent to landfill.
Batteries
The Battery Stewardship Scheme B-cycle is a national battery collection network that recovers and recycles used hand-held batteries. It also raises public awareness on battery safety and disposal options.
Aluminium Cladding
The Fairview aluminium cladding scheme – Ecoloop takes used aluminium cladding and recycles it into new materials for local manufacturers.
Plastics and packaging
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) administers the Australian Packaging Covenant and works with industry members from across the packaging supply chain to design more sustainable packaging that can be reused and recycled.
Plastic Paint Pails
Dulux Project Earth recycling and remanufacture of used Dulux brand plastic paint pails from commercial and industrial work sites.
Priority products
Each year the Minister for the Environment announces the Minister’s Priority List. The list names products and materials that need urgent product stewardship action.