The Queensland Government introduced a levy on waste going to landfill beginning 1 July 2019. The levy is part of a new waste strategy for Queensland to increase recycling and resource recovery and reduce waste.
The levy encourages business and industry to reduce, reuse and recycle more, only sending waste that cannot be recovered to landfill.
The waste levy encourages our community to consider how we can make simple changes in everyday life to reduce the heavy burden of waste on our beautiful natural environment, the Southern Great Barrier Reef, our wildlife, and our own health.
Why do we need a waste levy?
Around 10.9 million tonnes of waste were produced in 2017-18 in Queensland, enough to fill almost 9,000 Olympic sized swimming pools. The amount of waste we produce is also growing faster than our population. Queensland is a major underperformer in recycling and resource recovery with more than half (55 per cent) of our waste ending up in landfill.
The amount of waste that we generate in Queensland is increasing faster than our population. On top of this, we are currently only recycling 45 per cent of the waste that we produce, sending the rest (nearly 6 million tonnes in 2017-18) to landfill.
The levy will not affect the cost of residents putting out their kerbside wheelie-bins. The Queensland Government is providing advance payments to local councils to offset the levy on household waste going to landfill.
What does this mean for businesses?
Businesses are encouraged to look at how they can reduce waste, separate waste streams and recycle more to help reduce waste disposal costs. Residents are encouraged to boost their recycling efforts by finding out what recycling opportunities are available in their local government area.
How much is the levy?
The levy on waste going to landfill is charged a $94 per tonne for general waste (municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial, construction and demolition). Higher levies apply for regulated wastes.
How is the levy paid?
Landfill operators are required to pay the levy to the Queensland Government.
It is time to make a change and rethink what we do with our waste, as a lot of it can be reused, reduced, recycled or avoided altogether. Every action, big or small, makes a difference.
