Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 (Qld)

Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011

An Act to encourage the proper use of resources by improving ways of reducing and dealing with waste and to repeal the Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Policy 2000

Chapter 1 Preliminary

Part 1 Introduction

1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011.

2 Commencement (1) The following provisions commence on 1 December 2011— • chapter 3, parts 3, 4 and 7 • sections 63 and 65 • chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 • chapter 15, part 1 • sections 300 and 301 • chapter 16, parts 1, 2 and 3. (2) Chapter 16, parts 4 to 7 commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

Part 2 Objects, applicable principles and application of Act

3 Objects of Act The objects of this Act are the following— (a) to promote waste avoidance and reduction, and resource recovery and efficiency actions; (b) to promote and facilitate Queensland's transition to a circular economy; (c) to promote activities across government, business, industry and the community that extend the life cycle of products and materials; (d) to reduce the consumption of natural resources and minimise the disposal of waste by encouraging waste avoidance and the recovery, re-use and recycling of waste; (e) to minimise the overall impact of waste generation and disposal; (f) to ensure a shared responsibility between government, business and industry and the community in waste management and resource recovery; (g) to support and implement national frameworks, objectives and priorities for waste management and resource recovery.

4 Achieving Act's objects (1) If, under this Act, a function or power is conferred on a person, the person must perform the function or exercise the power in a way that best achieves the objects of this Act. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the achievement of the objects of this Act must if practicable be guided by— (a) the waste and resource management hierarchy; and (b) the following policy principles (the waste and resource management principles)— (i) the circular economy principle; (ii) the polluter pays principle; (iii) the user pays principle; (iv) the proximity principle; (v) the product stewardship principle.