The Waste Levy Flashcards
Explain the Waste Levy
The Waste Levy is a tax required to be paid by licensed waste facilities for each tonne of waste received. Waste levies are intended to encourage the diversion of waste from landfill to recycling.
The waste levy charges $70 per tonne of solid waste generated in the metropolitan area and disposed of anywhere in the state (as of 2018).
Since 2011 there have been sustained improvements in the proportion of waste diverted from landfill, and a declining trend in waste sent to landfill in WA.
Environmental Sustainability
The wording of the levy allows for the stockpiling of waste to occur, which decreases the intended environmental benefit.
There are many instances of waste being stockpiled instead of landfilled in order to avoid the levy. Excessive stockpiling can create human health and environmental risks such as fires, dust, odour and attracted vermin, plus a financial risk to governments if the waste is abandoned and requires removal.
Economic Sustainability
The levy generated almost $80 million in 2019-2020 (an increased amount), 25% of which went to the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (WARR) account.
Over $20 million was used in 2019-2020 to deliver programs such as the Better Bins: FOGO system. However, the funds are not being fully utilised with $40 million left over in 2019.
These funds could be used to better support local government’s FOGO systems.
Social Sustainability
The social benefits of the levy are that it contributes to the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (WARR) account. This department provides many of the programs relating to reducing waste and increasing materials recovery.
For example, income from the levy funds the Roads to Reuse program which makes use of 30 000 tonnes of waste generated in the construction and demolition stream.
