Asbestos in playground mulch: how to avoid a repeat of this circular economy scandal.

Asbestos has been discovered in mulch used in playgrounds, schools, parks, and gardens in Sydney and Melbourne. The contamination is believed to have come from timber waste from construction and demolition sites that was turned into mulch. So far, 60 locations in Sydney and 12 in Melbourne have been identified as contaminated. This scandal highlights the need for mandatory certification of recycled products, such as mulch, to ensure their safety. The discovery of asbestos in mulch raises concerns about the implementation of circular economy principles in Australia and could undermine efforts to advance the circular economy. Existing regulations do not go far enough to prevent contamination, and certification schemes for recycled products are not widely known or prioritized. Effective strategies, including encouragement, education, and enforcement, are needed to prevent unintended consequences in the circular economy. [Extracted from the article]