2019-02-18 GC Agenda Att 1 to Item 8 - Draft Environment Strategy

Strategy 1: Reduce waste to landfill
Target: By 2030, all green waste and food waste is diverted from landfill.

The amount of waste disposed of to landfill in Noosa Shire is costly to manage, is land intensive,
and contributes considerable greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Much of the waste in
Noosa can be reduced and recovered to become a usable resource.

Council is working with neighbouring councils on a more regional approach to recycling, including
opportunities for processing of food and green waste, and also glass recycling. A number of waste
minimisation measures for various waste streams have already been implemented, including
garden, construction and demolition materials, metals, polystyrene, timber, batteries, paper,
cardboard, e-waste, mattresses and recyclable packaging material.

Council also coordinates various community waste initiatives:
    fortnightly garden waste service for residents in urban areas
    public place recycling in high profile public places
    investigation and enforcement action for illegal dumping of materials with surveillance at
       key hotspot sites
    resource recovery activities at Eumundi-Noosa Road Recovery Centre, including the sale of
       recoverable goods on site
    dog waste dispensers with compostable bags
    Towards Zero Waste Education Program to encourage better recycling, promote the take
       up of the garden waste service, encourage residents to compost food waste, and support
       commercial composting by restaurants and grocery markets
    investigations into using green waste compost for agricultural land.

Council is introducing a food and green waste collection service to achieve zero food and green
waste going to landfill. This will be supported by a behaviour change campaign and will also
involve encouraging events, business’s, cafés and restaurants to eliminate single use plastics and
use biodegradable and/or recyclable products as part of their takeaway food and beverage sales.

The Queensland Government waste strategy sets a target for all Queenslanders to reduce their
overall generation of waste by 5% by 2024. The Strategy proposes a 55% recycling rate in
domestic, commercial and industrial waste (in 2018, the Noosa community is at 45%) and an 80%
recycling rate in construction and demolition waste (in 2018, the Noosa community is already at
90%). Council’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan identifies specific actions towards achieving
this. The State Government has also introduced a ban on single use plastic bags and a container
deposit scheme which also helps divert waste from landfill.

Council will continue to reduce waste to landfill in accordance with the Waste Reduction and
Recycling Plan through the following strategies:
    Regular auditing of waste streams.
    Enabling the correct use of bins for resource collection through education, behavioural
       change and enforcement
    Supporting and partnering to deliver community programs aimed at waste reduction
    Eliminating single use plastics
    Investigation into alternative waste treatment opportunities


Noosa Shire Environment Strategy                                                           Page 29