Material Recovery Facility Refund Protocol Submission
Dr. Katrena Stephenson, Chair of TasWaste South, recently provided feedback on the draft Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Refund Protocol, following a discussion paper shared in June 2023. TasWaste South carefully reviewed the draft Protocol and addressed the key questions raised.
In line with its previous submission on the draft Regulations, TasWaste South continues to support the Container Refund Scheme and advocates for its expansion to include wine and spirit containers.
Key Points from the Submission:
1. Calculating and Timing:
Quarterly Refund Claims: TasWaste South agrees that it is reasonable for a MRF to make a refund claim only once per quarter, aligning with current contractual arrangements between MRF operators and councils in the southern region.
Time Limit on Claims: Implementing a time limit for claims, similar to the 28-day period used in New South Wales, is seen as beneficial to ensure that MRF operators are proactive in seeking reimbursements and passing the share to local government.
2. Local Government Share:
50/50 Share: The default 50/50 share of refunds is deemed appropriate by TasWaste South.
Need for a Sharing Protocol: The draft Protocol suggests that councils and MRFs negotiate the distribution of refunds. However, TasWaste South expresses concern about potential inequities between councils and regions due to the varying bargaining positions and the existence of two MRFs operated by different entities in Tasmania. Therefore, a local government sharing protocol is recommended to ensure fairness and certainty for all parties.
Calculation Method for Refund Sharing: The submission highlights the lack of a prescribed method for calculating the number of eligible containers within an average tonne of kerbside recycling delivered to an MRF. TasWaste South suggests that while councils or regions could negotiate this with MRF operators, a standardized approach set out in a local government sharing protocol would be more efficient and equitable.
TasWaste South is committed to supporting the roll-out of the CRS and is open to further collaboration, particularly in the development of a local government sharing protocol. Dr. Stephenson offered the assistance of our CEO, Paul Jackson, for any additional input needed.
