In the lead up to the Plastics and the Circular Economy Conference (PCEC) 2023, PKN speaks to MRA Consulting Group’s Mike Ritchie about what to expect from his presentation at the event.
Ritchie has over 30 years’ experience in the waste management and recycling industry. He has worked with all levels of government and the private sector.
Ritchie is the managing director of MRA Consulting Group, previously holding roles as Group general manager SUEZ Australia, general manager at WSN Environmental Solutions, and state manager of VISY Recycling. He was also a director of a local government and senior advisor to the Mayor of Brisbane. He also had a stint in the Prime Minister’s Department.
He was a sessional commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court. He has served as vice-president of the Waste Management Association of Australia, and is currently a director at Waste Management and Resource Recovery Australia. He was chairman of the NSW Carbon Committee and the Advanced Waste Treatment committees of the industry Association.
PKN: What do you think are the key limitations to Australia meeting plastic packaging circularity?
Money. There is not enough economic return in the recycled plastic supply chain to warrant the costs of separation transport, processing, transport, re-processing, and final sale.
While that is true, plastic recycling will be subsidised by users with a limited willingness to pay. Consequently, there needs to be government intervention at both ends of the supply chain to change the economics.
What topics are you looking forward to hearing discussed at the Conference and why? Eg on targets, market demand, price, levies, etc?
Targets, economics, and government policies.
The conference is focused on solutions. What are some priority actions that you will recommend and raise with audiences at the conference?
Hypothecated landfill levies funding infrastructure, national packaging EPR schemes, plastic pollution, and minimum recycled content rules.
What will force action and who could/should show leadership on this?
National EPR can only be implemented by Federal government. States need to increase and nuance landfill levies to drive infrastructure investment.
