Businesses: reduce, reuse, recycle

With only three months until the new Queensland Industry Waste Levy takes effect on December 1, Southern Downs businesses are being urged to take steps now to reduce the amount of waste they are sending to landfill.
“This is a state initiative aimed at reducing the amount of waste going to landfill, and it’s coming up in just three months’ time,” Southern Downs Regional Council director of planning and environment Ken Harris said.
“It will soon cost businesses more to take their waste to landfill, and the only way to reduce that cost is to generate less waste,” Mr Harris said.
“Businesses should look at reducing, reusing or recycling as much waste as possible to keep their waste costs down.”
The new State Government levy will be $35 per tonne for all commercial and industrial (C&I), and all construction and demolition (C&D) solid and liquid waste going to landfill.
This will be charged on top of the normal gate fees at Southern Downs Regional Council waste facilities. The council has been asked to collect the levy on behalf of the State, with all monies from the levy paid to the Queensland Government.
“We’re suggesting to business owners that now is the time they should consider what other processes they can put in place to help increase the amount of recycling they are doing and reduce the amount of their waste going to landfill,” Mr Harris said.
More details on recycling and waste reduction for businesses can be found at www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/waste/index.html or
southerndowns.qld.gov.au/page/Council_Services/Waste_Management/