The transaction fee is being introduced to offset rising service, logistic and processing costs associated with domestic green organic waste.

Green organic waste fees will come into effect on Monday, 21 October 2024, along with a $5 transaction fee for small loads of general domestic waste.

Waste management services are guided by the Queensland Government’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 and Waste Management Strategy 2019.

The Waste Management Strategy 2019 introduced a waste levy charging $94 per tonne of waste disposed of in landfill.

The levy aims to divert waste away from landfill, prolong the life of the landfill and encourage better recycling behaviours.

Ensuring green organic waste does not contribute to this levy by processing it into mulch to be freely distributed to community members saves ratepayers $1.5 million dollars annually on levy fees inclusive of transport and landfill costs.

Managing and processing green organic waste does cost money.

Council managed 16,000 tonnes worth of green organic waste in 2023/24, with associated costs totalling over $530,000.

Introducing a $5 user-pays fee for green organic waste drop-off customers will offset these costs without passing additional costs on to ratepayers who do not utilise the service.

Council encourages residents to save, sort and recycle to avoid additional costs.

To promote recycling opportunities in the region, several other services are still free, and users will not be charged to present up to 15 other items at Council’s Waste Facilities.

Please visit Council’s website at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/new-waste-fees-charges for more information on new waste fees and charges.

Download this media release (PDF)

See Also

News Items
Media Releases