SUEZ, a leader in smart and sustainable resource management, welcomed the opportunity to participate in the National Plastics Summit, bringing together over 200 representatives from government, industry and community sectors to address issues with, and solutions to, the use of plastics in the Australian economy.
The National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019 provides a framework for collective, national action on waste management, recycling and resource recovery in the lead up to the waste export ban, with the Summit aiming to identify opportunities to address targets under the policy.
Mark Venhoek, CEO of SUEZ Australia & New Zealand, said the Action Plan is a strong policy driver but addressing plastic waste in Australia will require significant collaboration to drive a step change at all stages of the value chain.
“Considerable work is required to ensure industry is prepared to meet COAG’s waste export ban, including development support of recycling infrastructure and the growth of pull-through demand for recyclable material.”
“We are pleased to hear the Prime Minister talking about government encouraging and incentivising the use of recycled products in the market.”
Government procurement will deliver not only certainty for industry, but it also shows the government is walking the talk when it comes to supporting the use of recycled products in the value chain.
“As industry looks to invest in scalable infrastructure, addressing pull-through demand for these secondary raw materials is essential.”
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation’s announcement that it will lead the development of the ANZPAC Plastic Pact is an important development to tackle plastic waste in Australia and across the Pacific region.
“SUEZ is looking forward to working with industry representatives from across the value chain to develop a common vision of the circular economy for plastics,” Mr Venhoek said.
As a founding member part of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, SUEZ globally is already working hard to help end plastic waste in the environment through infrastructure development, innovation to advance new technologies, education and engagement and clean ups of concentrated areas of plastic waste.
Source: https://www.suez.com/en