The Territory Labor Government is working to protect the environment and support the reuse of resources to contribute to a $40 billion economy by 2030.
Implementation of the Northern Territory’s first Circular Economy strategy is in progress with work commencing on:
– The $3.8 million in recycling modernisation funding available to small business, industry and local councils on a 50:50 co-contribution basis;
– Stage 1 Needs Analysis of the Big Rivers Material Recovery Facility in Katherine;
– An independent review of the NT landfill guidelines is being carried out to deter landfilling of recyclables and ensure protection of the environment; and
– Reforms to environmental regulation of mining are being finalised and a cost benefit analysis of implementation of waste levies is in train.
These programs will assist in generating economic opportunities through diversion of waste into a valued resource.
Local Territory businesses are also getting on board circular economy initiatives with waste and debris from numerous projects being repurposed into new builds.
Territory construction company NTEX’s recycling process is a practical example of a circular economy system in action. The process starts with the implementation of pre-demolition audits to all projects to identify waste streams and determine recycling paths and opportunities to create useable products in civil construction.
To date NTEX has averaged over 93% recyclable rate on all 18 demolition projects combined during the past two years, and most recently close to 98% recyclable rate for the Richardson Park demolition project.
The Territory Labor Government released the Circular Economy Strategy in April this year, outlining the Territory’s roadmap to protecting the environment from waste by increasing resource recovery, recycling and reuse, including phasing out and banning single use plastics by 2025 and investing and supporting businesses to develop and resource their own recycling schemes.
This includes a Territory Labor Government commitment of $1.9 million for the Northern Territory Recycling Modernisation Fund for a grants program, and $300,000 per year from 2021-22 recurring for the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security to coordinate delivery of the strategy.
The strategy also encourages innovation and adoption of resource recovery and recycling technology through partnerships and collaborations, and will see consideration of a waste levy to improve waste outcomes.
The five-year plan to transition the Territory from a linear model of taking, using and disposing of resources into a circular economy, addresses the Territory’s existing challenges with waste, building a more sustainable Territory and establishing the circular economy industry as a contributor to the Territory’s $40 billion economy by 2030.
Quotes from Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:
“The Territory Labor Government is focused on creating a sustainable environment.
“Applying circular economy principles means turning waste into a valuable resource, which keeps it out of the environment where it can cause harm, and inside the economy where it can create value, jobs and growth.
“NTEX are showing Territorians exactly how a circular economy should work with their projects. Their waste has been diverted from landfill, into another useable product.”
Quotes from the Minister for Environment, Lauren Moss:
“The Recycling Modernisation Fund is a great initiative to assist local business and organisations to adopt innovative and sustainable recycling models, and they can still apply ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.
“Investing in businesses and systems that increase the Territory’s recycling rate will create local jobs and grow the economy.
“More than a third of the Territory’s waste is generated from construction, demolition, commercial and industrial activities so it’s great to see companies such as NTEX leading the way as part of its successful business model.
Northern Territory Government
