2021-03-09 P&E Agenda - Item 8 - Attachment 1 - Climate Change Response Plan

Theme 8: Zero waste and circular economy

Why this is important
Our current linear economic model of take-make-waste results in the excess use of resources, land
and water pollution and vast amount of waste going to landfill once products are no longer deemed
necessary. In a circular economy, raw materials enter a cycle wherein their value is maintained
throughout their life cycle.

Around 79000 tonnes of waste is taken to the Noosa Landfill each year. Of this 48% is reused or
recycled, whilst the rest (41,000 tonnes) is buried in the landfill. Material that is dumped into landfill
is a lost resource and a source of carbon emissions.

When organic matter (food, green waste, paper, etc) is sent to landfill, it is decomposed under
anaerobic conditions. As the organic matter decomposes, it releases methane. Methane is 28 times
more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Emissions from landfill comprise over 60% of
Council’s corporate emissions and around 9% of the Noosa community emissions.

 The degradation of organic waste in landfills is a complex series of chemical and biological reactions.
Landfill gas is currently extracted from the Noosa Landfill, and flared, converting the methane into
carbon dioxide. Methane from landfill gas can also be used to generate electricity. Landfill
conditions, weather conditions, age of the waste and gas extraction equipment productivity will all
affect the methanogenic bacterial action and hence the resultant landfill gas that is captured.

By moving from a take-make-waste system linear system to the circular economy, resources are
used many times over, the nutrients from organic material are captured, land required for waste
disposal is reduced, and the costs throughout the system overall are lower.

How we’ll achieve this - Council’s role and influence
Council is responsible for the collection and processing of the community’s waste. Council manages
the landfill operations and the landfill gas system in partnership with its contractor. Council is
currently developing a waste management strategy to determine the most effective management
methods for the collection and processing of waste and the management of the landfill.

Council is also responsible for the generation of waste within its own operations and projects.
Council can also increase demand for recycled products through its own procurement practices.
Council can influence how the community can reduce its waste generation and the amount of waste
ending up in landfill through the provision of appropriate infrastructure such as bins and collection
services and through providing and supporting community waste reduction education and behaviour
change initiatives with the commercial and residential sectors to reduce waste to landfill. Council
can support and promote programs such as Plastic Free Noosa.


Strategic Priorities
The following strategic priorities are identified for this theme:

8.1 Adopt circular economy principles to cut waste and pollution, keep products and materials in
    use and regenerate natural systems
8.2 Manage the landfill in accordance with best practice to minimise greenhouse gas emissions
8.3 Minimise organic matter going to landfill from community waste



                                                                                                        33
Noosa Climate Change Response Plan - draft for council endorsement March 2021