December 2021
This special end-of-year edition introduces two major and long-awaited pieces of legislation for the EPA in the plastics management and land protection spaces. We also celebrate Return and Earn’s 4th birthday and 6.5 billion milestone, bring you highlights over the past year and offer some great tips for a sustainable festive season.
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Message from the CEO
Welcome to a special end-of-year edition of EPA Connect as we take the opportunity to wish you a safe and happy holiday and hope you find some breathing space and opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, in person, after an extraordinary year.
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Landmark environment legislation closes loopholes
The Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Bill was introduced into NSW Parliament in November. This hallmark legislation is intended to enable the EPA to crack down on environmental crime and care for our land and waterways, by closing loopholes and regulating against avoidable pollution and incidents.
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Plastics Plan and waste strategy forge ahead
As a key milestone in our mission to cut down on plastic use, reduce waste and make better re-use of our resources, the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Bill 2021 was passed through Parliament on 30 November. The Bill will bid farewell to single-use lightweight plastic bags and it will be the last straw for those single-use plastic drinking devices.
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Snapshot
Some highlights of the EPA and our stakeholders' achievements over the past year.
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New milestone and children's charity for Return and Earn
Our baby is turning 4! Return and Earn celebrated its fourth birthday on 1 December by reaching a staggering 6.5 billion containers returned via its network of 620-plus return points since inception in 2017!
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Eden community celebrates bushfire clean-up
Successful bushfire clean-up works across Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council lands represent one of five programs with $57 million funding, being rolled out by the NSW EPA to support public land managers recover from the devastating 2019-20 bushfires.
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Around the grounds
Lead sampling in Port Kembla, odour management in the southern highlands and four major bushfire recovery clean up grants – we bring you news of initiatives and action from around our regions.
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Happy sustainable Christmas!
Remember to be kind to the environment this Christmas by limiting wrapping and packaging, looking for preloved items for gifts through networks or charity shops, buying local and reducing food waste.