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    Waste

    Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plan for Tasmania's waste sector

    The first legislated Waste Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plan has  been released.

    The Plan was prepared after both public and targeted consultation. You can read the submissions on the draft Plan

    The Plan also includes a summary of the key themes from consultation, and how the Plan addresses these key themes.

    Focus areas

    The five focus areas of the Plan to reduce emissions and build resilience in the waste sector are:

    1. We will reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfill.
    2. We will increase recycling and recovery of high-emissions waste streams
    3. We will support the transition to a circular, low emissions economy.
    4. We will build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
    5. We will drive action through partnerships and collaboration.

    Under each focus area there are new sector-specific and cross-sectoral commitments, future funding priorities, and relevant existing or in-progress initiatives.

    Reducing emissions and building resilience in the waste sector

    • Collaborate with partners to consider emissions reduction and resilience in waste policies and projects.
    • Partner with not-for-profit organisations to deliver waste education in schools.
    • Conduct waste audits to assess the effectiveness of current kerbside collection systems, improve systems and develop targeted education materials.
    • Support the collection of food waste from hospitality businesses.
    • Partner with peak bodies to support them to plan for circular economy opportunities.

    The waste Plan builds on, and aligns with, the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2023-2026.

    The Strategy aims to reduce the generation of waste, boost recycling and resource recovery, and support Tasmania to move towards a circular economy. The Strategy includes commitments for infrastructure investment, resource recovery and circular economy grants and other programs, levy rebates, education and awareness, and skills development.

    More information about the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy is available on the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Board website

    We have developed Tasmania’s Emissions Reduction and Resilience Roadmap 2024-29 to show the links between all sectoral plans and Tasmania’s first statewide climate change risk assessment

    There are common challenges and opportunities for all sectors. As part of the Roadmap we will introduce four key programs to support business and industry in all sectors to reduce emissions, build resilience and stay competitive in the transition to low emissions.

    See Tasmania’s Emissions Reduction and Resilience Roadmap 2024-29

    Climate change and waste in Tasmania

    Tasmania’s waste sector accounts for around 5 per cent of Tasmania’s total emissions, excluding the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector. Most emissions come from the decomposition of organic waste in landfills and the treatment of wastewater.

    Find out more about Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions from waste and other sectors in our annual greenhouse gas report

    Climate change and the transition to a low emissions economy bring both risks and opportunities for Tasmania’s waste sector. For example, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events will increase physical risks to landfill sites and wastewater treatment plants. These events can also result in damage to infrastructure and property, requiring management by the waste sector.

    There is an increasing expectation from markets and consumers for businesses to manage their resources in ways that are environmentally and socially responsible. These changes bring challenges and risks, but if managed appropriately, can also bring opportunities for Tasmanian businesses to improve market access, increase productivity, reduce costs and explore new revenue streams.

    Find out more about the Tasmanian Government’s action to build resilience to the impacts of climate change in our response to Tasmania’s Risk Assessment for Climate Change 2024.

    Stay up-to-date

    We will work with key partners and the community to develop and implement the actions in the waste Plan.

    We will keep you informed through this website, and we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter and follow the Tasmanian Climate Change Office on Facebook