For recyclers
Support for the resource recovery sector
Queensland’s waste management and resource recovery strategy aims to increase recycling and resource recovery in Queensland, reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, and in doing so, boost local economies and create new jobs.
The strategy is underpinned by a waste levy, which makes alternatives to landfill more attractive, and provides funds for ongoing reinvestment in the recycling and resource recovery industry, and other programs that reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
Discounted waste levy for residue waste
Particular recycling businesses can apply for a waste levy discount for any residue waste disposed to landfill if they are achieving the recycling threshold. These activities are outlined in schedule 3 of the regulation. The discount is 50% of the applicable levy rate.
A key criteria for approving an application is the recycling efficiency threshold, which is the percentage of feedstock from a recycling activity that is not disposed to landfill. Setting minimum standards for recycling encourages higher recycling efficiency whilst driving innovation and improvement in Queensland.
The recycling efficiency thresholds for the activities listed in schedule 3 of the regulation are :
- 80% for recycling mixed construction and demolition waste to produce aggregate or other new products to a particular specification- from 1 July 2025.
- 60% for all other recycling activities.
An activity may only be eligible if the discount enables the activity to become established and sustained in Queensland, and if the activity optimises the market and material value that could be derived from the resource used as feedstock for the activity.
A requirement of an approved waste levy discount holder is to submit a report for each six-month reporting period.
A template for these report periods, as well as a worked example, is available to provide guidance on reporting. The application form and templates are available to download from Applications and forms.
If a particular activity is not listed in schedule 3, the Minister may recommend prescribing in regulation other activities, provided certain criteria are satisfied as set out in section 44(3) of the Act. Should you wish to submit a request detailing how a recycling activity (that is not listed in schedule 3) meet these criteria please contact the Department of the Environment, Science and Innovation, Office of Resource Recovery.
Residue waste from a glass beneficiation plant or a material recovery facility
The Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2023 lists residue waste from a glass beneficiation plant or a material recovery facility as exempt from the waste levy. This exemption provides greater certainty around the application of the waste levy for these important resource recovery activities. View further information about exempt wastes.