Managing crop protection and animal health packaging waste in Australia

The Australian Government, through the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC), established a Task Force to develop a national strategy for the management of empty, unwanted containers in response to recommendations by the Senate Select Committee on Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals in Australia. Avcare Ltd, the National Association for Crop Protection and Animal Health participated with regulatory agencies in developing the strategy. At the same time Avcare defined an industry strategy and commenced its implementation in 1993. The National Strategy for the Management of Empty, Unwanted Farm Chemical Containers, was adopted by ANZECC at its meeting on 19 December 1997. Avcare has proposed an agreement between the National Farmers Federation, the Australian Local Government Association, Avcare and the Veterinary Manufacturers and Distributors Association, for an Industry Waste Reduction Scheme to implement the National Strategy. The objectives of the Scheme are to achieve a reduction in the amount of industry packaging waste and to facilitate the collection, inspection, and processing of empty containers for recycling or material recovery. Under the proposed Scheme, manufacturers will pay a levy of 4 cents per litre on all nonreturnable, rigid plastic and metal packaging to finance the program, and pass the levy on to distributors and users. The industry expects the Scheme to commence on 1 August 1998.