“Win for common sense” as unworkable recycling rules overturned

A push to overturn controversial rules imposed by Labor on the recycling industry has been successful, after a campaign spearheaded by NSW Nationals Senator, Ross Cadell.

The Rules, which imposed new provisions on recyclers exporting product such as glass and plastics overseas were described by industry as contrary to the overarching goal of reducing Australia’s environmental footprint.

Under the rules, each time a recycler exporting product sought a variation to their export application, they would be charged a new Government service fee of more than $13,000.

Senator Cadell described the result as “a vote for common sense” after the motion received support from The Greens.

“We heard from an industry who have been ignored by Labor,” Cadell said.

“Not only did Labor play ignorant to the concerns of industry, but they also went and imposed a financial burden that would have brought business in the recycling sector to its knees.

“It is wrong that good recyclable products would end up in landfill, and that an industry that is working towards a full circular economy would be held back.

“This is a win for common sense… And a win for the everyday Australians who in time would have worn the costs at the checkout, and on their rates notices.

Industry representative, Rick Ralph, of the National Waste & Recycling Industry Council thanked Coalition Senators, along with The Greens for supporting the vote.

“To contextualise the importance of this disallowance, across the nation, more than 50 recycling facilities that currently process and sort recyclables when selling and trading internationally would have been exposed to these new fees,” Ralph said.

“The support of the Coalition and The Greens has ensured that individual waste and recycling businesses won’t be forced to incur hundreds of thousands in new costs.

The result of the vote, 40-18, was the first successful disallowance vote of the year, and just the third of the current Parliament.