Enter governments that don’t know what to do….

Product stewardship is about companies taking responsibility for their products for their whole lifecycle, from design through use and then as a waste. It’s a foundational plank in a circular economy. Many haven’t wanted to engage as they feel the pinch on multiple fronts. So, in Australia there’s been push-back, proposing nil or minimal change.

Many realise that they can improve performance through better design, fewer inputs, (less materials, less energy, more efficiency), a greener marketing advantage and increased resilience. That’s aside from the broader good of reduced emissions, waste, and environmental impacts. The biggest block is an uneven playing field i.e. their competitors would likely undercut their investment and continue their existing business models. Few make the transition to be seen as leaders and better their competition.

Society misses out on change at scale, growing the collective advantage and productivity benefits across the economy and environment, we persevere with imported goods that cannot be recycled or repaired, our waste and recycling can’t cope, and we miss out on systems that would enable Australia to compete internationally as overseas buyers seek out sustainability credentials. The collective benefits are lost.

Enter governments that don’t know what to do, lobbied by all perspectives, fear has seen a slowing of reforms, and few decisions made.

Australia has predominantly chosen voluntarism, it’s easier and less costly to government than regulation. Everyone complains. The rules differ, they perform without discipline of reporting or measuring outcomes, and some adopt unrealistic targets. Design isn’t being influenced and the public aren’t being educated or informed.

Most voluntary product stewardship schemes are now crying out for regulation. Those that have supported the original schemes are not benefiting as the scale isn’t large enough or their competition isn’t playing ball (freeloaders). Tyre companies are crying out for a regulation and batteries are also in desperate need of a regulatory framework.

I see changes afoot. We have policy discussion regarding packaging after 30 years of wrangling with an unenforced co-regulatory scheme, coincidentally with the adoption of container deposits in all states, electronics and solar panels are in the works too. Will it get done this time? Will it be the Commonwealth or State based, or both?