DATE: 26th June 2008
WASTE WINNING WAR ON WARMING
Australia’s waste management and resource recovery sector is achieving more
than any other industry when it comes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission
reduction, according to a Commonwealth Government report issued this week.
The National Greenhouse Inventory 2006 (NGI) reports that waste managers,
composters and recyclers have reduced GHG emissions from their operations by
around 11% since 1990, while all other industrial sectors have seen their GHG
emissions grow. The NGI also shows that waste-related activities have remained
static at about 3% of Australia’s overall GHG emissions.
Valerie Southam, CEO of the Waste Management Association of Australia
(WMAA), said: “Our industry’s GHG emission reduction has occurred at the same
time that Australians’ consumption and waste generation has grown. This shows
that our industry’s members – including local governments - have done an
exceptional job of introducing new methods and technologies that are more
environmentally sustainable.
“As the Commonwealth Government proceeds with an Emissions Trading Scheme
(ETS), it is vital that it recognizes our industry’s considerable progress to date.
At a minimum, the design and implementation of the ETS must not impede our
investment and innovation – and the environmental benefits it is delivering for
the community,” Ms Southam said.
“With the right settings from governments, waste managers can continue to
achieve more. Keeping organic matter – such as food and garden clippings -
from going into landfills has the biggest potential to further cut GHG emissions.
Governments – at both Commonwealth and State levels – need to embrace
these lower cost and easily accessible opportunities to tackle climate change.”
“As underscored by the excellent result released this week, the waste
management and resource recovery sector’s approaches are proven ‘footprint
shrinkers’ that have great community participation. In the fight against climate
change, the Commonwealth Government would do well to leverage our success
through a National Waste Minimisation Strategy to supplement the ETS,” Ms
Southam said.
For more information:
Valerie Southam
Chief Executive Officer
Waste Management Association of Australia
Phone: 02 8746 5000
NEWS 
