Central government changes direction

Central government decided this week that the policy that directs all councils to provide household food scraps service to all urban areas by 2030 will no longer be implemented.

This is part of a shift in waste priorities from the previous government, with the current government deciding that only one of the previously five guiding policies will remain in force.

Therefore only standardising materials for household recycling has come into effect and introducing a council household recycling service to all urban areas, introducing a council household food scraps service to all urban areas, data reporting for private household recycling providers, and a performance standard for household recycling and food scraps diversion, will no longer go ahead.

This aims to reduce additional costs for councils and enable them to choose the timing of introducing new services with greater flexibility. Central government will continue to support councils in introducing recycling and food scraps collections through the Waste Minimisation Fund if they wish to introduce any new services.

Although the project is not mandatory at present, Council will review the results of the feasibility report. The feasibility report will outline multiple options, which will be presented to elected members in July or August 2025. Once a decesion is made, Council will continue working on the project based on guidance from elected members.