The Queensland Government has passed its Waste Reduction and Recycling Bill through parliament that will aim to halve the amount of rubbish directed to landfill within a decade while creating thousands of green jobs while seeing millions of dollars invested into recycling and resource recovery programs.

 

“The waste reform package introduces a landfill levy on non-recycled commercial waste that will fund a comprehensive set of support programs for business, local government and the community,” State Environment Minister Vicky Darling said.

 

Ms Darling said the levy - which commences on 1 December 2011 - will discourage unnecessary disposal to landfill and fund an overhaul of waste management facilities, helping enterprises of all sizes tackle the cost of waste to their business.

 

The bill will also open the $100 million for the Sustainable Futures Fund to be allocated to the state’s council to assist them in building better waste management practices.

 

“To help them become levy-ready, councils throughout Queensland will this year receive an $11 million boost for waste management facilities, following earlier assistance totalling $4.1 million to help establish or improve infrastructure such as weighbridges and fences at landfills,” Ms Darling said.

 

Ms Darling said new programs will encourage recycling of organic waste while a renewed litter prevention program will commence to catch and prosecute illegal dumpers.

 

Further information on the waste reform package is available on the Department of Environment and Resource Management website at www.derm.qld.gov.au