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ARTICLE · 10 AUGUST 2022

Circular Economy Part 2: Are there shortcomings in the current definitions of waste?

Corrs Chambers Westgarth
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Corrs Chambers Westgarth

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Concept of Waste & its regulation. Why is it important to provide a clear pathway for a material to lose its status as Waste?

AustraliaEnvironment
Louise Camenzuli
Louise Camenzuli
Rosie Syme
Rosie Syme
Anna White
Anna White
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Waste avoidance, minimisation and resource recovery issues are now focus topics for governments at all levels across Australia, and there is general support for the pursuit of circularity as a means of improving sustainability.

In part one of the series, we considered the aspirations of waste policies and new waste laws being created throughout Australia. In this Insight, the second of our two-part series, we reflect on the concept of 'waste' and its regulation, and discuss why it is important for the law to provide a clear pathway for a material to lose its status as 'waste'.

What is waste?

Waste is generally understood to be 'materials that are no longer needed and are thrown away' or 'anything left over or superfluous'. This reflects a traditionally linear model of consumption - 'take-make-dispose' - where 'waste' describes something at the end of its life.

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