February 5, 2019
A new State Government report shows more than 1.2 million tonnes of waste was trucked over the border into Queensland in 2017-18.
In the same period, Queenslanders generated almost 11 million tonnes of waste, up 11 per cent over the previous year.
These figures were outlined in the Recycling and Waste in Queensland 2018 report released on Tuesday at the quarterly meeting of the National Waste Recycling Industry Council.
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said they demonstrated the urgent need to improve Queensland’s waste management systems.
“This report provides a snapshot of how waste and recyclables were managed, recovered and disposed of in the 2017–18 financial year,” Ms Enoch said.
Interstate waste grew by 37 per cent – or more than 394,000 tonnes – in 2017-18.
“If you lined up all of the trucks (that transported the waste), the line would stretch from Brisbane to past Mackay,” she said.
Ms Enoch said the 11 per cent increase in Queensland-generated waste was also a great concern, given the State’s population had only grown by 1.6 per cent in the same period.
She said it was clear the government needed to develop better ways to manage waste.
“We want to increase investment in recycling and resource recovery industries. Not only is diverting waste away from landfill better for our environment, it also provides more job opportunities.
“It is estimated that for every 10,000 tonnes of waste disposed in landfill, about three jobs are supported.
“But if that waste was recycled, this would support about nine jobs.”
Ms Enoch said it was promising to see recycling rates increase, but there was still room for improvement.
“In 2017-18, Queenslanders increased their recycling effort for household and business wastes by 580,000 tonnes, resulting in close to five million tonnes of materials being diverted from landfill.
“However, we still recycle only 45 per cent of the waste we generate, which needs to change.
“That is why last year we introduced a ban on single-use lightweight plastic bags, along with a container refund scheme, Containers for Change.”
The State Government will also introduce a Waste Levy on July 1 this year in an effort to further reduce landfill waste.
The Recycling and Waste in Queensland report is prepared annually based on data supplied by councils, the waste and resource recovery industry and recyclers across the State.
The report can be read here
