Annual Report 2018-19

In 2018-19, we released our new strategic plan for 2018-23 with the vision statement that “through the circular economy, we will transform the way South Australians use and value resources”. Our strategic priorities are:  Reforming household waste – ensuring the best possible approach to managing our waste and resources while also benefiting business and industry  Reducing food waste, and developing industries – saving money, protecting the environment and stimulating industry investment  Reforming packaging and single-use items – reducing the environmental impacts of excess packaging and single-use plastics, and encouraging business to develop new alternatives  Developing the circular economy in business – protecting the environment and boosting economic development  Preparing for disaster waste management – building community and business Resilience The programs implemented by Green Industries SA (GISA) in 2018-19 have further developed the circular economy in South Australia, in particular by facilitating investment in the resource recovery sector, creating jobs and diverting material from landfill to productive use. A key initiative for the year was implementing the government’s $12.4 million support package to industry and local government to help respond to the challenges and opportunities of changing international market conditions for recyclable materials. More than $13 million in funding assistance has been approved under the support package. Another highlight for GISA in 2018-19 was the release of the Turning the tide on single-use plastic products discussion paper. The response from the South Australian community was overwhelmingly in favour of government intervention to address the impacts of single-use plastic products. GISA is now progressing work on the approach announced by the Minister for Environment and Water on 6 July 2019. In 2018-19 we invested in a second commercialisation of innovation program targeting the waste and recycling sectors and related areas of the circular economy. It will build on the success of the first program, which has resulted in the commercialisation of exciting innovations and technologies, generating economic activity in the state. We also delivered the first Global Leadership Program on the Circular Economy, which attracted participants from India, Japan and Australian jurisdictions. The Program demonstrates South Australia’s circular economy expertise, and exposes local businesses to international markets. A second Global Leadership Program was held in July 2019 and another is being held in February 2020. GISA also delivered other core programs in 2018-19, including:  Developing and implementing government policy objectives in waste management, resource recovery, green industry development and the circular economy.