Canberra’s war on waste to focus on reduce, reuse and recycle principles


Released 08/05/2018

Canberrans will be able to recycle their food and organic waste in the future by putting it into kerbside bins under a suite of new recommendations outlined in the ACT Government’s Waste Feasibility Study, released today.

The Waste Feasibility Study presents a clear roadmap for tackling waste and improving waste management practices in the ACT, with a discussion paper now available for public consultation.

The recommendations have been carefully developed over the last two years and could take the ACT’s resource recovery rate from the current level of around 70 per cent to a nation leading 87 per cent, with the potential to divert 170,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.

Minister for Transport and City Services Meegan Fitzharris welcomed the Study’s final report and encouraged the ACT community and waste industry to have their say on the report’s recommendations and help inform government on how they could be implemented.

“Canberra is home to a pro-active community who care about the environment and want to play a bigger role in diverting the waste we send to landfill each year. So I’m pleased to release the Waste Feasibility Study’s final recommendations today, which are consistent with the waste hierarchy principle to reduce, reuse and recycle waste above energy recovery and landfilling,” Minister Fitzharris said.

“The Study calls for a renewed community and industry commitment to waste avoidance measures, particularly in reducing food waste and improving recycling practices. This is more important than ever now that we are moving into a new era where China has become stricter as to the kinds of waste they will accept.

“The recommendations in this report build on the ACT Government’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by focusing on the reduction of organic material from landfill and will complement the green bin collection service already being rolled-out across the city. Indeed a composting site and food and organic waste collection service could see 40,000 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill,” said Minister Fitzharris.

The Study makes 18 wide ranging recommendations including improvements to data collection, regulation, and product stewardship schemes.

In addition, the Study recommends the ACT Government develop a waste-to-energy policy which seeks to address community concerns, provides certainty to industry, and establishes a framework for assessing future proposals. Further consultation will be undertaken to inform the development of a waste‑to‑energy policy.

“This is a really exciting time for our waste industry, and it’s clear the ACT is leading the way when it comes to addressing the challenges facing the waste sector. I invite the community and industry to explore the report recommendations and have their say on how we can better use resources and be less reliant on landfill,” said Minister Fitzharris.

The discussion paper will be on Your Say at www.yoursay.act.gov.au for a six week period. ACT NoWaste will host a series of information sessions for community and industry groups.

Community information session:

  • Wednesday 30 May
  • 5:30pm
  • Griffin Centre, 20 Genge Street, Civic

Industry information session:

  • Thursday 31 May
  • 8:00am
  • Griffin Centre, 20 Genge Street, Civic

- Statement ends -

Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

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Claire Johnston

(02) 6205 0022

0452 597 459

clairev.johnston@act.gov.au


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