Waste Forum 18 May 2011 Narangba Valley Tavern
MBRC DEEDI (Dept of Employment Economic Development and Innovation) DERM
A lot of knowledge in the room – waste managers policy makers businesses…
David DEEDI
Sophie Head MCBR
Krrishna Kanduri DERM
Tamara Millett Team Leader Rethink Waste WARE Program DERM
reThink Business Waste – Waste Reforms for Queensland
Information on the QLD Government’s Waste strategy and Waste levy and programs to assist businesses.
Why do we need to get rid of waste in QLD? Waste is an inefficient use of resources. QLD is one of the highest producers of waste in the world!
Each year the amount of waste generated in QLD increases at a faster rate than our population growth. Landfills are running out.
Industry says it won’t invest in waste management without a strong price signal.
[ul]Key components of waste reform.
Stronger legislation and targets
Use of a price signal
Funding to waste programs
Partnerships.[/ul]
Most preferable: Avoid reuse recycle other recoverey treat dispose as least preferable.
Very much a chicken and egg situation. We can’t initiate new services for organics if we don’t have the funding coming in to cover it.
We want to form partnerships with industry local government and the community.
Targets (all on the [url=http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/waste/pdf/waste-strategy.pdf]DERM Waste Strategy 2010-2020[/url])
By 2020 QLD will need to:
[ul]cutting waste to landfill
reducing waste generation so that it does not exceed population growth
increased industry investment resulting in an expansion of new green jobs
reducing the total amount of and the environmental impacts from littering and illegal dumping
boosting recycling rates across all sectors
cutting green and organic waste to landfill
reducing greenhouse gas emissions from waste
increasing the number of businesses participating in waste reduction and recycling
strong regional collaboration to identify and implement local solutions to local issues
an effective and responsive land-use planning system for waste management infrastructure and activities
accurate and timely information to help us make informed waste management and resource recovery decisions
Queensland Government departments and local governments improving waste recycling and green procurement.
[/ul]
Why a levy on waste?
While waste to landfill is seen as the cheapest option it is the most inefficient use of resources.
Funding from levy will help fund cost effective solutions for stakeholders for better waste management across the state and stimulate growth in a new sector.
Discourage interstate waste ‘dumping’ in QLD as the cheapest option.
Every 10000 tonnes of waste avoided creates 9.2 jobs.
The levy – how will it work?
Commences 1 December 2011
Applied per tonne of waste disposed to landfill
Applied to commercial and industrial (CYI) constructin and demoliiton (C&D) and regulated waastes that are not diverted from landfill
Waste levies
Commercial and industrial waste $35/tonne
Construction and demolition waste $35/tonne
Contaminated and acid sulphate soils $35/tonne
Lower hazard regulated waste $50/tonne
Higher hazard regulated waste $150/tonne
Municipal solid waste 0
Will my business be charged the levy?
Only landfill operators within the levy zone will pay the levy on waste
Charges may be passed on by your waste collection service provider.
The levy is not a tax on business waste. It only applies on waste to landfill.
The levy zone applies to 95% of the population and 99% of QLD’s waste.
So really we need to fundamentally start thinking about waste.
Waste = inefficient business process
Pay for waste to come on-site
Pay to move waste around as an operating cost
Pay to dispose of waste
Start thinking about avoiding and reducing waste in the first place.
1500kgs of waste produced to produce one computer.
Key message: The levy will not apply to material diverted from landfill.
Most ideas for changing waste come from staff working around the processes.
Six steps to reduce reuse and recylce (all on DERM website)
1.Measuring volume of business waste
2.Materials to target
3.Local collectors and drop off points for recyclable materials
4.Introduce a new resource recovery service
5.Separately collect materials effectively. Equipment rebate
6.Educate staff
DERM website has some worksheets to help you record your results.
Ideas on how to reduce reuse recycle different materials by types: www.derm.qld.gov.au/waste
http://businessrecycling.com.au
Who can divert my business waste from going to landfill?
DERM has partnered with Planet Ark’s business recycling directory to help businesses find local resource recovery service providers and drop off facilities that recover materials.
http://businessrecycling.com.au
Encouraging businesses to list on this site.
**Also important to consider local uses. Waste to other businesses community farm schools…
Start by reviewing your existing waste collection contracts. You may be able to negotiate reduced collection frequency or bin sizes. Get 3 quotes for new services and compare service inclusions and conditions.
Later on in the year there will be a program of financial incentives to businesses to review their waste management. Details will be on the website later in the year.
Grants programs
[ul]Infrastructure grants
Market development grants
Business waste avoidance grants
Research and development grant to support the development of best practice.[/ul]
These are all currently being worked up. See DERM website and register your business details on-line to be notified when they come up.
How to stay informed:
Www.derm.qld.gov.au/waste and register