20 September 2023
Who does this notice affect?
All international Cruise Vessels, vessel agents, port operators and waste providers operating under the department's Approved Arrangement
What has changed?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) is taking immediate action to cease the recycling of specified materials that are being unloaded off international cruise vessels due to increased biosecurity risks to Australia.
Only the following recyclable materials are considered low risk and can continue to be offloaded for recycling treatment:
- Aluminium cans that contained non-dairy liquids for human consumption (such as soft drink, juices, mineral water and alcoholic beverages)
- Soft plastic bottles that contained non-dairy liquids for human consumption (such as soft drinks, juices, still and sparkling water and alcoholic beverages).
All other recyclable material must be disposed of as biosecurity waste by an approved waste provider under the department's Approved Arrangements.