For recyclers

Support for the resource recovery sector

The aim of Queensland’s waste management and resource recovery strategy is 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 activities are eligible to apply for a discounted levy rate for residue waste they generate and dispose of to landfill. These activities are outlined in schedule 3 of the regulation. The discount is 50% of the applicable levy rate.

Further, an activity may only be eligible if the discount would enable the activity to become established and sustained in Queensland, and if the activity would optimise the market and material value that could be derived from the resource used as feedstock for the activity.

A requirement of approval holders of discounted rate for the waste levy for residue waste is to prepare and 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 approval holders with guidance to fulfil this reporting obligation. 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 recycling 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 Environment, Science and Innovation, Office of Resource Recovery.

Declaration of residue waste as exempt waste – financial hardship

Northern Iron and Brass Foundry (NIBF)

The department has declared residue waste from Northern Iron and Brass Foundry (NIBF) as a relevant activity and is exempt waste from the waste levy from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 inclusive.

Over this period, the department will work with NIBF and take the opportunity to investigate the development of a sector-wide approach suitable for the management of used foundry sand incorporating best practice operations and creating a long-term sustainable solution.

The Declaration of residue waste as exempt waste (waste levy) – NIBF (PDF, 188.2 KB) details this exempt residue waste and conditions that apply.

The conditions of the declaration are –

1. This declaration applies only to Northern Iron and Brass Foundry (NIBF) where a financial hardship approval was granted under s312(4)(c) of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 during the period 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2022.
2. Additionally, this declaration applies to NIBF operating under the subsequent s35 declaration in effect for the period 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023 inclusive.
3. Prior to disposing of waste under this exemption, NIBF is required to provide information to the satisfaction of the department demonstrating the:
   1. impact that application of the levy on disposal of the residue waste will have on the continued viability of the business
   2. total tonnage of residue waste likely to be disposed of during the relevant period
   3. measures that are/will be undertaken to reduce the amount of residue waste requiring disposal
   4. timeframes for these activities
   5. provision of a progress report by 30 June 2024 on the measures taken/planned to be taken to reduce residual waste requiring disposal.
4. NIBF must retain all information and records relevant to the requirements of the declaration for a minimum of five years.
5. This information must be provided to the administering authority on request in the format requested.
6. This approval only relates to exemption from the waste levy. It does not affect requirements or conditions of any environmental authority or any other approval, permit or obligation under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 or any other Act.

Residue waste from a glass beneficiation plant or a material recovery facility

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2023 has been amended to include 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.