Four steps to making a submission to the Review of the Product Stewardship Act 2011

What is it?

Product stewardship is an approach to managing the impacts of different products and materials. It acknowledges that those involved in producing, selling, using and disposing of products have a shared responsibility to ensure those products or materials are managed in a way that reduces their impact, throughout their lifecycle, on the environment and on human health and safety.

Currently we have voluntary schemes for batteries, photovoltaic systems, e-waste (televisions and computers) and plastic oil containers are included in the scheme.

Our Federal Government has resisted calls to take greater action by mandating product stewardship and moving our country to a zero waste society. One that prioritises avoidance and minimisation of waste and one that makes manufacturers responsible for the products they create. 

We are asking for everyone to take 15 minutes out of your day to follow these four easy steps below and make your voice heard. It can be anything from a sentence to hundreds of pages. We are not asking for a complete legal review. Just be honest and in your own words let the department and government know that we must take this issue seriously.

Step one

Check social media for posts or groups on the product stewardship act review, read as much as you can, take a look at the Act, read the consultation papers and read our submission below.

Step two

After researching, write down why you think product stewardship is important. Try and answer the following questions to get you started;

1.    Why do you think we should take steps towards better product stewardship?

2.    Why should manufacturers be responsible for the products they create?

3.    Do you want to see us move to a circular or zero waste economy?

4.    Should we have better minimum design standards of products?

5.    Should products that cannot be recycled domestically be banned from sale?

Step thee

Download a copy of the submission coversheet either in word or pdf. Fill it in and attach it to your submission. You can download a copy from here - https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/national-waste-policy/product-stewardship/consultation-review-ps-act-incl-ntcrs

Step four

Send your submission and completed cover sheet to wastepolicy@environment.gov.au email by 5:00pm AEST, 29 June 2018.