Plastics recycling rates in Australia and Tasmania are dreadfully low and over the last decade there has not been a consistent improvement. The 2013–14 National Plastics Recycling Survey found that the amount of plastic that was recycled in Australia in 2013-14 was a 2% increase on the previous year but the amount consumed increased by 4 %. There had been a similar rise in the previous year.  In 2013–14 the national plastic recycling rate was 20.4% and in Tasmania it was 13.5%.

This article continues a theme in recent editions of the Tasmanian Conservationist, highlighting businesses that are taking leadership in their field and setting high environmental standards.

Envorinex has been operating at George Town since 2009. It collects industrial waste plastic from all around Tasmania, recycles and remanufactures it into a range of products which can be recycled again. In the future, Envorinex anticipates expanding its developed recycling and remanufacturing expertise to the mainland.

In response to the ongoing, tragic and seemingly intractable issue of roadkill, the TCT conducted a survey of all major road managers within the state to try to identify where there might be better coordination of resources and effort, hopefully leading to fewer deaths and injuries of animals on our roads. Here is the summary of results and recommendations.

I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Margaret Atkinson (see Vale Margaret Atkinson by Janice Bird).

I worked in the TCT office with her for five years while she was our office manager. Margaret was very tough on us all about paying bills and providing reports on time. There were many scientists who received funding through grants the TCT administered who can attest to her valued discipline in this area. I fondly remember Margaret assisting several times with tree-planting and gorse-cutting events that I organised at the South Esk Pine reserve near Coles Bay. After one such event I saw a much more relaxed side of her – after a few wines! We will miss you, Margaret.

The TCT stated today that the revised Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy, released last Sunday by Minister for Resources Guy Barnett, fails to deliver the long anticipated ban on broad-scale clearing and conversion of native forests on private land. Clearing on private land can now continue with no absolute limit.

25 MAY 2017 - TCT's RESPONSES TO THE STATE BUDGET FOR 2017-18

Reserve management
The TCT Director Peter McGlone said that the "The government's ongoing funding of the Tourism Infrastructure In Parks Program, new funds to improve management of Darlington Convict World Heritage Site and additional funding for the Cradle Mountain Visitor Experience are positive initiatives."

"However, this budget continues this government's focus on visitor infrastructure and iconic parks rather than increasing he Parks and Wildlife Service's staffing levels to improve management of all reserves for their natural and cultural values as well as for tourism."

Tasmanian Planning Policies Legislation – Minister Gutwein’s next power grab

The TCT said today that the Draft Tasmanian Planning Polices Bill 2017, recently released for public comment, proposes to provide the Minister for Planning Minister Peter Gutwein with almost total power over the drafting, making and amending of planning policies. The public comment period on the Draft Bill closed on Monday 15 May 2017.