Report card lists sound achievements in waste management despite impacts of floods and COVID-19

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Image of waste against backdrop of natural environment

Scenic Rim Regional Council’s progress in meeting the first-year targets of its Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy 2021-2026 were highlighted in the tabling of a report card at yesterday’s Ordinary Meeting.

In line with the Queensland Government's 2050 target to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by 25 per cent, the strategy helps to drive a fundamental shift in waste management to support the transition to a zero-waste society.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the report card highlighted the significant progress made but that factors such as frequent flooding, the impacts of COVID-19 and resource constraints had delayed or impacted the ability to deliver some of the actions that would be addressed in 2022-2023.

"As a Council, our priority is maintaining the region's pristine beauty and natural environment,” he said.

“This includes sustainable waste management practices to reduce our carbon footprint, transitioning to a circular economy and creating economic opportunities, all of which are key priorities outlined in the strategy.”

The report card examines the Scenic Rim’s current waste generation and diversion to ensure focus is maintained on strategic priorities, noting that it will take time for the generation of waste to trend down and for the diversion of waste from landfill to increase.

Actions identified for implementation within year one of the strategy include: the investigation of circular economy programs; expanded waste audits with a review of current services, facilities, standards and their development; an anti-litter program and the identification of waste from public places.

The strategy also focused on the exploration of organics, the control of waste from disaster events, waste planning for the future and a number of procurement-based trials, including a review of budget structures, fees and charges and sustainable policies.

"Community-based waste collection and education campaigns will be a major focus for Council as we head into 2023, especially around the diversion of waste from landfill and our transition towards a circular economy,” Mayor Christensen said.

“Efficient waste management starts with our youth, and in the home environment, with adults leading by example.

"The right partnerships will help us continue to lead actions outlined in the strategy, as Council's Waste Services team continues to have a presence at key community and Council-supported events.

"The team has made great headway already by encouraging several local businesses across the region to sign up to ASPIRE - a program that empowers businesses to trade waste as a resource to collectively help reduce carbon emissions and, at the same time, make money."

The report card reveals that 50 percent of early learning centres across the Scenic Rim have signed up to the children's waste education program, Get Grubby, an online, interactive waste education campaign highlighting the importance of reducing waste at home or at school and the impact of waste on the environment.

For households, the How to Reduce Waste guide, available for free on Council’s website, has a wealth of information on saving money while reducing their environmental footprint.

“The commitment of Scenic Rim residents to reducing waste can be seen in the results of the recent Garage Sale Trail, with our region rating the second highest per capita in Queensland in participation in this festival of pre-loved items,” Mayor Christensen said.

“We are seeing a shift in perception, with people viewing waste as a resource and realising that ‘it’s not waste until it’s wasted’.”

To view the Report Card, head to Council's website.