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Extended Producer Responsibility in the Australian Construction Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Salman Shooshtarian

    (School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Tayyab Maqsood

    (School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Peter SP Wong

    (School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Malik Khalfan

    (School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Rebecca J. Yang

    (School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

Abstract

With the COVID-19 outbreak across the world, policymakers and authorities have realised that they cannot solve the emerging issues using conventional policies and practices. COVID-19 has severely affected many industries, including construction and demolition (C&D) waste management and C&D waste resource recovery sector. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and schemes alike are policy instruments that prevent waste generation and promote a circular economy in the construction industry. These schemes are long adopted in various countries for different waste streams. EPR policy development and implementation, particularly for C&D waste, is still at an early stage in Australia. This study aims to review the Australian regulatory environment and practice to identify barriers and enablers towards successful policy development and implementation of C&D waste-related EPR. This study is based on secondary data that are publicly available. The document analysis was conducted to identify the level of regulatory and other stakeholders support in Australia. Following three rounds of examination of sources and applying multiple selection criteria, 59 different sources were reviewed in total. The results showed that there is widespread support among different stakeholders to develop EPR and expand the existing regulation to other materials. The barriers were cost and time implications for EPR policy establishment and enforcement, diversity of stakeholders involved, construction product lifecycle, responsibility of manufacturers, complexity in implantation of EPR regulations, modification inbuilt facilities and health and safety issues. Recommendations are made to alleviate these challenges. The outcome of this study could serve as a guideline for designing effective EPR policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Salman Shooshtarian & Tayyab Maqsood & Peter SP Wong & Malik Khalfan & Rebecca J. Yang, 2021. "Extended Producer Responsibility in the Australian Construction Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:620-:d:478191
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Salman Shooshtarian & Tayyab Maqsood & Peter S.P. Wong & Rebecca J. Yang & Malik Khalfan, 2020. "Review of waste strategy documents in Australia: analysis of strategies for construction and demolition waste," International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 23(1), pages 1-21.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Pettini & Luca Montini, 2024. "Textile industry sustainability: Unpacking the potential of EPR for circular practices," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(2), pages 87-102.
    2. Emma Heffernan & Leela Kempton, 2025. "Beyond Construction Waste Management: A Systematic Review of Strategies for the Avoidance and Minimisation of Construction and Demolition Waste in Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-23, August.
    3. Antonis A. Zorpas & Maria K. Doula & Mejdi Jeguirim, 2021. "Waste Strategies Development in the Framework of Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-5, December.
    4. Xin Zan & Deyuan Zhang, 2022. "Analysis on the Optimal Recycling Path of Chinese Lead-Acid Battery under the Extended Producer Responsibility System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, April.
    5. Zhen Liu & Tzuhui Wu & Fenghong Wang & Mohamed Osmani & Peter Demian, 2022. "Blockchain Enhanced Construction Waste Information Management: A Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-35, September.
    6. Marcella Bernardo & Hugh Forehead & Isabella De Carvalho Vallin & Sylmara L. F. Gonçalves-Dias, 2023. "Management of Household Plastic Waste in Wollongong, Australia: The Role of Selective Waste Collection Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, January.
    7. Ala Abdulsalam Alarood & Adamu Abubakar & Abdulrahman Alzahrani & Faisal S. Alsubaei, 2023. "Electronic Waste Collection Incentivization Scheme Based on the Blockchain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-29, June.
    8. Tang Seik Yng & Wong Swee Kiong, 2023. "E-Waste Management in Malaysia: Residents’ Willingness to Pay for Household E-Waste Recycling in Kuching, Sarawak," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(11), pages 1383-1401, November.
    9. Syed Abdul Rehman Khan & Danish Iqbal Godil & George Thomas & Muhammad Tanveer & Hafiz Muhammad Zia-ul-haq & Haider Mahmood, 2021. "The Decision-Making Analysis on End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling and Remanufacturing under Extended Producer Responsibility Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-14, October.
    10. MingCan JI & Xing Zhang, 2024. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Assessing the Impacts and Mechanisms of Green Bond Financing on the Enhancement of Green Management and Technological Innovation in Environmental Conservation Enterprises," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 12709-12750, September.

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