The NSW Government has released a draft of NSW’s Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan, which it says is needed to prevent Greater Sydney running out of landfill.
Without intervention, waste collection and disposal services could be severely impacted by 2030, forcing councils to transport rubbish to regional areas or interstate, said Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe.
“For too long, state governments have ignored the fact that Greater Sydney is running out of landfill,” said Minister Sharpe.
“Waste collection is an essential service. This draft plan is the first of its kind and is long overdue.
“We can no longer kick this problem down the road. I look forward to working with local councils, industry and local communities to urgently address the problem.”
The Minister said failure to tackle the issue would drive up the cost of kerbside bin collections and lead to costs for residents and businesses increasing by around 20%.
A slowdown in rubbish collection would also impact critical infrastructure projects, such as new housing developments. It’s estimated that it could cost the economy around $23 billion, she said.
The first chapter of the draft NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan will consult councils, industry and the community on the next steps to build the infrastructure required across Greater Sydney.
Future chapters are expected to be released later this year and will focus on enhancing recycling infrastructure and addressing the unique waste challenges facing regional and remote NSW.
The release of this chapter lays out how the NSW Government will:
- safely manage the waste we don’t recycle and avoid Greater Sydney’s imminent shortfalls in landfill capacity;
- collect and process increased volumes of organic waste, as source-separated FOGO collections are rolled out across Greater Sydney.
A new Ministerial Advisory Committee will be established to guide the plan’s implementation and advise on local barriers, identify opportunities for investment and report on progress.
This plan follows the NSW Government’s recent mandate of Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) recycling. It’s envisaged that FOGO will reduce the volume of food waste sent to landfill, by diverting up to 950,000 tonnes of each year.
To have your say by 25 June 2025, visit the Draft NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan web page.
