Queensland, federal and local governments are delivering $54 million to South East Queensland councils to help get more organic waste out of landfill and turn it into valuable resources.
IMAGE: of compost by Gabriel Jimenez
The funding is for a program to help councils build and upgrade infrastructure to process more green waste and food organics. The goals are more recycling, less landfill and more local jobs.
The funding is being delivered through a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and the Council of Mayors (SEQ) to support long-term infrastructure, liveability and environmental outcomes across the region.
Organic waste currently makes up a significant proportion of household waste sent to landfill, despite much of it being able to be recovered and reused, so the partnership will support new infrastructure and upgrade existing facilities for councils to better collect, sort and process organic waste.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the program played an important role in improving Queensland’s recycling performance.
‘The Crisafulli Government is determined to boost Queensland’s recycling rate and help councils divert more waste from landfill,’ Minister Powell said.
‘Being able to recycle more green and organic waste means this material can be turned into valuable products like compost and mulch instead of being buried in landfill.
‘We’ve already supported more households to get green bins on the kerbside and this investment will help councils build the infrastructure needed to process that material locally.’
