Does South East Queensland have a waste problem?

As one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, SEQ has an increasing waste volume to manage. With decreasing land availability for landfill, higher environmental standards, State Government landfill diversion targets and increasing landfill costs, the region faces challenges now and in the future. We need waste management solutions now for our emerging and future needs.

Are landfills no longer suitable for our waste and if not, why?

Landfill is a legacy approach to dealing with waste by simply disposing of it in the ground. It requires ongoing management well beyond its active life and limits future use of land. Considering the increasing cost of landfill (due to policies such as the waste levy), ongoing management costs, and the availability of improved modern options to treat residual waste, there is a worldwide shift away from landfilling.

What if nothing is done about the waste issue?

Continuing existing waste management practices such as landfilling will cost residents more and more each year. We will also struggle to meet Queensland waste targets. As a region we need to be strategic about waste management now.

What does Council of Mayors (SEQ) have to do with this?

Council of Mayors (SEQ) was established over 20 years ago to support regional collaboration and coordination across SEQ councils for the benefit of all. Council of Mayors (SEQ) led development of the SEQ Waste Management Plan with SEQ Councils, and waste management remains an ongoing regional priority.

How is Council of Mayors seeking a solution?

Council of Mayors (SEQ) has applied to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on behalf of 11 SEQ councils, seeking authorisation for a joint procurement of regional solutions for the treatment of residual waste as an alternative to landfill. This collaborative approach aims to deliver better environmental and economic outcomes, including the best cost outcome for the region’s ratepayers.

What are the options to solve the waste problem?

As countries worldwide strive towards waste reduction targets, a number of options for alternatives to landfill are being implemented and others are actively being developed. Some of these options are proven while others are emerging and potentially pave the way for future solutions and industries. Waste avoidance, recycling and green waste recovery remain the preferred options while residual waste treatment deals with waste that remains. At this stage, no decision has been made as to which solutions will be suitable for SEQ. For more information view the Queensland Government’s Waste Strategy –https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/waste-reduction-recycling/strategy-plans/strategy.

What is Residual Waste Treatment?

Residual Waste Treatment (RWT) is a modern process that turns waste that cannot be recycled or recovered into useful energy, such as electricity or biofuels, through combustion, gasification, and other processes in a highly sophisticated and safe facility. Instead of sending this waste to landfill, RWT safely processes it in controlled facilities, significantly reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions and creating renewable energy.

Why is the cost of landfill rising and why do we need modern waste management?

SEQ’s landfills are filling up, and the cost of using landfill is rising sharply due to the landfill waste levy imposed on Councils by the former State Government to discourage interstate waste. This levy, continued by the current State Government, significantly increases the cost of landfill disposal and is charted to keep increasing, incentivising waste reduction, recycling and energy recovery. Landfill fees are estimated to almost triple in cost over the next decade, adding extra cost to households. RWT provides a cleaner, smarter alternative that can deliver long-term cost savings, environmental benefits and free up valuable land for more important uses than waste disposal.

Do other regions use Residual Waste Treatment?

Many solutions are already commonly used as alternatives to landfill, with more than 2,800 facilities operating globally, including in Australia, and internationally with countries including Singapore, Denmark, Germany, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, Austria, France, and Switzerland.

What waste will be processed?

It is proposed Residual Waste Treatment will process true residual waste,  the waste that remains after all feasible recycling and organics recovery have been undertaken. This includes:

• kerbside general waste from the red-lidded household bin that cannot be recycled, composted or reused, and
• self-hauled general waste delivered to council facilities/transfer stations that cannot be recycled or recovered through available sorting and diversion systems.

Even with improved recycling and organics programs, a significant volume of residual waste (more than one million tonnes) will remain each year and currently goes to landfill.

Is Residual Waste Treatment better than landfill?

Yes. RWT treatment is specifically designed to recover energy from non-recyclable waste such as the contents of your general waste bin, it is considered better than simply disposal to landfill by burying it – it deals with and processes waste. Independent studies and regulatory standards confirm that waste to energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, both from the reduced waste disposed in landfill and from the energy generated, and recovers valuable resources such as metals compared to landfill.

Is RWT safe for people and the environment?

Yes. Modern RWT facilities operate under strict environmental standards. All facilities will be required to meet State Government requirements, the European Union’s Industrial Emissions Directive and will be subject to ongoing monitoring and reporting of emissions. Equipped with advanced filters and monitoring systems, they meet or exceed strict regulatory requirements for air quality. In Europe, these facilities are often designed for urban integration and some incorporate community amenities. Together, these measures provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to landfill.

What happens to the by-products and ash from these facilities?

Most ash is inert and non-toxic, containing metals that can be recovered and recycled, and the remaining material can be used for road construction and concrete materials.  The flue gas treatment process, which is standard in all modern RWT facilities, cleans the gases produced during the treatment process. This is achieved by introducing neutralising agents like lime and activated carbon. While this process is essential, it does result in a small amount of hazardous material generated. This material is carefully collected and disposed of at specialised, licensed facilities in line with strict environmental regulations.

How does this help the environment?

RWT cuts methane emissions from landfills, generates renewable energy, and recovers metals for recycling. This approach supports Queensland’s environmental and waste targets and helps create a more sustainable future.

Will this stop recycling and green waste recovery?

No. Recycling and composting remain the top priorities. RWT only handles waste that cannot be recycled or composted. Queensland’s rules make sure recyclable materials do not go into these facilities.

What are “emerging technologies” in Residual Waste Treatment?

These are newer processes like gasification or pyrolysis that aim to turn waste into advanced products such as low-carbon fuels (including sustainable aviation fuel). These technologies are promising but are not yet proven at a large scale for household waste. They’re exciting because they could help reduce emissions even further and create new industries.

Why include emerging technology at all?

Including emerging technology is about planning for the future. If these technologies succeed, they could make waste management even cleaner, cheaper, and create new jobs and industries in Queensland.

Will emerging technology change what goes in my bin?
No. Residents will still recycle (yellow bin) and separate organics (green bin) as usual. These technologies will only use leftover waste that can’t be recycled or reused (red bin waste).

What happens if emerging technologies do not prove viable?

Only technologies that are demonstrated to be effective, affordable and compliant with all regulatory requirements will be considered.

How will a suitable solution be selected?

If the ACCC grants authorisation to proceed, a detailed technical and procurement process will be undertaken to ensure fairness, equity, value for money and identify the best solution for SEQ. This process will take time, but it is important to ensure a thorough process to get the best outcome for the region. The Mayors of SEQ councils will ultimately make the decision on whether to proceed with the identified solution.

Will this cost residents more than landfill?

The objective is to avoid the long?term cost pressures associated with the increasing cost of landfill and deliver a solution that provides better cost certainty for councils and residents. The final cost outcome will depend on the solution(s) selected, the ability to achieve regional scale, and the commercial terms secured through procurement and approvals. These factors will be tested through further investigation and market engagement before any proposal is finalised.

Where will the facilities be located?

Sites will be chosen carefully, in appropriate locations away from residential and sensitive areas. Consultation will be a key part of the project and all proposed solutions will need strict approvals from the Queensland Government, and will be required to meet global best practice requirements.

If approved, when will this happen?

The earliest a facility is likely to be operational is 8–10 years time, depending on the outcome of the proposal’s ACCC application, procurement, approvals and construction.

What role does the Queensland Government play in approving these facilities?

Any proposed facilities will be required to meet Queensland Government approvals such as strict environmental and planning requirements. The Queensland Government has previously published statewide waste targets which are achievable with the implementation of initiatives such as increased recycling, green waste recovery and alternative treatment of residual waste. Partnering between councils and the Queensland Government is key to solving this problem for SEQ.

Will this create jobs?

Yes! Facilities could create hundreds of construction jobs and permanent roles, plus opportunities in clean energy and recycling.

Will waste be imported from outside SEQ?

No. The intent of this project is to provide a solution for residual household waste that is currently sent to landfill in SEQ, and solutions will be selected based on the requirements of participating councils. It is not intended to process waste from outside SEQ.

How will you be consulted or kept informed on the project?

Community engagement is a key part of this project. Regular updates and opportunities for engagement will be provided throughout the project as it progresses. Information will be will provided on the Council of Mayors (SEQ) website.

What happens if the ACCC does not grant authorisation?

ACCC authorisation is required for participating SEQ councils to seek a collective solution to our waste problem as a region. Without it, councils will need to seek solutions separately and as many of the solutions are only made viable by a combined waste volume some options may not be suitable for each council individually due to their smaller waste volume. If authorisation is not granted, councils and ratepayers will not be able to achieve the benefits that a collaborative approach may provide.