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The NSW Government warns Sydney’s landfills will run out of space by 2030

Posted on by L. Dreeye
The NSW Government warns Sydney’s landfills will run out of space by 2030

Sydney is “on the verge of a waste crisis”: according to forecasts, by 2030 landfill space will run out, New South Wales Government warned.

The state of waste and recycling in the state was revealed today at the NSW Circular Economy Summit in Sydney, hosted by Environment Minister Penny Sharp and Environment NSW CEO Tony Chappelle.

Without new recycling and recycling solutions, Greater Sydney’s landfill capacity will be exhausted within the next decade, it has been revealed.

The NSW Government has warned there will not be enough space in Sydney’s landfills by 2030 unless urgent action is taken. (Anna Kuchera)

“We are in a situation where, unless we take immediate action, our red bins will not be collected in a few years,” Sharp said.

This will mean Sydney residents will have to pay significantly more to dispose of their waste as it will have to be transported regionally or interstate for disposal.

Costs for demolition waste will also rise sharply, slowing down industrial development.

The Minns government has pointed the finger at the opposition for what it says was inaction on the issue during their 12-year term in office, which ended when Labor took power in March last year.

“Previous governments have been briefed on this issue but no action has been taken for over a decade,” Sharp said.

“Industry and councils require support and leadership. We are doing our best.”

Shadow Energy, Climate Change and Environment Minister James Griffin denies the Coalition has ignored the issue.

“It is no surprise that NSW Labor is taking over much of the work started under the previous coalition government,” he said in a statement to 9news.com.au.

“Any suggestion that the previous government did not know or did not plan to meet future government landfill requirements is simply ludicrous and unbelievable.

“We have committed a record amount of funding to combat waste and recycling.”

NSW’s recycling rate has also stagnated in the last few years, remaining stable at 65 per cent since 2015-16, well below the state’s target of 80 per cent by 2030.

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharp
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharp says urgent action is needed to avoid a waste crisis as residents pay significantly more for waste disposal. (9News)

Sharp today unveiled the government’s plans to tackle both of these issues, which include developing the state’s first-ever waste infrastructure plan, consulting with local councils and businesses, and completing a review of waste charges.

The government is also seeking to introduce legislation mandating separate disposal of food organic waste and garden organic waste for both households and businesses.

Other measures include the NSW Plastics Plan, which aims to phase out single-use plastic products.