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Report
Description

There is growing recognition that waste has value. Discarded material from households, commercial premises and industrial sites is not merely considered rubbish but a useful resource that can be turned into new components, products and energy.

This report is structured into nine chapters:

  • Chapter one is the introduction.
  • Chapter two provides a brief overview of the waste management and recycling industry, and introduces two key concepts — the waste management hierarchy, and the circular economy.
  • Chapter three discusses the role of the Commonwealth Government in waste management and resource recovery and its recent policy announcements.
  • Chapter four sets out key impediments to innovation. In particular, it discusses system and policy issues identified by stakeholders to better support innovation.
  • Chapters five to eight focus on specific areas of interest including waste-to-energy technology, rural and regional Australia, and the textiles industry. Other areas examined include waterways and oceans, food and garden organic waste, medical waste and solar panels.
  • Chapter nine summarises a group of submissions that predominantly highlight practical ways for people to reduce, reuse and recycle domestic waste.

Case studies of waste management and recycling innovation are included throughout the report.

Publication Details
ISBN:
978-1-76092-170-5
License type:
CC BY-NC-ND
Access Rights Type:
open