Big Bag Recovery scheme

Question

In response to a question on notice in December 2025 about the accredited voluntary product stewardship scheme operated by Big Bag Recovery, the Department outlined it had not conducted an audit of the scheme (SQ25-001155). 1. Has the Department undertaken an audit of the Scheme since it tabled its response? IF YES a. What did the audit find? b. Specifically, did your audit find any plastics collected by the Big Bag Recovery scheme placed into landfill or stockpiled? c. Did an officer or agent of the Department visit any of Big Bag Recovery's collection or storage sites as part of the audit, particularly its operations in sugar cane growing regions or in Tasmania? IF NO d. Is it common practice that the Department does not audit these schemes? e. Are there any plans to audit the scheme into the future? f. How does the Department provide assurance to the market and the broader public that its accreditation process is worthwhile, given the lack of audit and transparency of publishing scheme reports? I understand Big Bag Recovery's accreditation completed its five-year period in March. 2. Has the Department received an application for the scheme to be re-accredited? IF YES a. When will the Department make a decision on BBR's application for reaccreditation.

Answer

Please see the attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000674.pdf (opens in a new tab)