What drives success in e-waste product stewardship?
Waste Expo | Coffs Harbour | 8 May 2014
Carmel Dollisson, CEO
Australian and New Zealand Recycling
Platform Limited ABN 29 154 190 691
Slide 1
Agenda
Background
•
Product Stewardship
•
ANZRP
Implementing the scheme
•
Challenges
•
Solutions
•
Outcomes
What drove success?
•
Key learnings
Slide 2
Background | Product Stewardship
22 June 2011: Federal Parliament passed the Product Stewardship Act…

Government and industry have a shared responsibility to reduce e-waste, increase
recycling and manage the environmental, health and safety impacts of products we use
…leading to the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS)

Companies that manufacture or import computers or TVs need to take responsibility for
the safe and environmentally friendly recycling of end-of-life products
Under the NTCRS, computer and TV manufacturers and importers are required to join a
government approved service (co-regulatory arrangement)
Slide 3
Background | ANZRP
ANZRP is the only not-for-profit co-regulatory arrangement, established by industry
for industry to provide a sustainable arrangement for liable parties
Gained approval as an arrangement 28/3/2012
Adopted the model of the European Recycling
Platform (ERP) not-for-profit industry scheme
Developed a local model with a working group of
Canon, Apple and HP supported by AIIA ESIG
Established the TechCollect program and secured
members, collection partners and recyclers
Slide 4
Background | ANZRP
TechCollect is ANZRP’s collection and recycling program – the public face of our
activities, available to householders and business across Australia
Slide 5
Background | ANZRP
Membership: we hold ~ 50% of liable parties by volume – great members
who fund our program and set out standards
Slide 6
Implementing the scheme
Slide 7
Implementing the scheme | Challenges
•
The competitive environment

•
Five co-regulatory arrangement by the end of Year 1
Reliable data and awareness of e-waste recycling

Very little reliable information on householder interest, the volume / mix of the
e-waste stream or the number of liable parties
•
No mandated recycling standard or material recovery rate

•
•
•
Created an unlevel playing field
IT vs. TVs – managing the balance

two separate targets – must deliver on BOTH computer & TV targets

ANZRP’s targets were almost the inverse of the e-waste stream
Cost and price wars

Price-competitive member drive – puts pressure on partners

Educating and engaging with collection partners - WIIFM

Glass recycling is costly but a vital component of ANZRP’s recycling process
Concurrent Government programs

Analogue to digital switch and EPA/LGA changes to land fill
Slide 8
Implementing the scheme | Solutions
•
The competitive environment

Provided a unique industry-for-industry / not-for-profit model based on European
experience and advice.

•
Set a clear strategy for the long term
Reliable data and awareness of e-waste recycling

Conducted research to build insight: e.g. online sales and off-shore shipping of
second-hand IT product

•
•
Drove awareness of the TechCollect program, e.g. Guinness campaign
No mandated recycling standard or material recovery rate

AIIA, CESA & interested parties developed the Interim Industry Standard (IIS)

Audited our recyclers against IIS with independent environmental auditor ERM

Set own 90% MRT standard including glass
IT vs. TVs – managing the balance

Advocated for and achieved change to regulations to a single e-waste
recycling target, we could not source 18KT of computer product for recycling
•
Cost and price wars

Developed compelling value-added services for members to offset price
pressures (e.g. advocacy, advice)

Used IIS benchmark to link cost to high standards of responsible recycling

Worked with LGAs and learnt the rules!
Slide 9
Implementing the scheme | Outcomes to 30 June 2013
•
•
16,554 tonnes of e-waste collected from 143 TechCollect services across Australia in
2012/13, reaching 93% of the population
Over 90% material recovery, including metals, plastic and glass
Slide 10
What drives success? | Key learnings
•
Solid foundations, standards and strategy

Reliable base data, market size, mix, number of liable parties

Level playing field in NTCRS it requires the implementation of IIS/AS/NZS5377
and MRT - 90% recovery of materials

Time to educate and establish the business to achieve a lean and
sustainable environmental outcome

•
Clear strategy – focus long term – be ready to flex with market dynamics
Great partnerships – doing the right thing together!

Selecting and working with the best partners, ensuring they meet the
standards and help to drive your business model; partner where it makes
sense

Keep learning - international experts, industry, liable parties …

Open and transparent communication between all stakeholders including
an open line with the regulator
•
Strong community out-reach

It’s not just about meeting member liability or targets; it’s about community
partnerships with all levels of Government, industry, SME and the community

TechCollect provides a free community service, supported by promotion
and education
Slide 11
Thank you!
Slide 12
Slide 13