International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

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29/09/09
pay less landfill tax on the residual stream than one that separately collects
only 1 component.
� Slovenia: A landfill tax is in place to raise revenue for technical improvement of
landfills, improvements in infrastructure and environmental remediation. A
landfill ban has been implemented to restrict hazardous waste from certain
categories of landfill, and to limit the deposition of BMW.
� Spain (Catalonia): There is a landfill and incineration tax in this region of Spain.
Its structure means that areas with separate biowaste collections have a
reduced landfill or incineration tax. The revenue is to be used directly to
improve collection and treatment infrastructure or for awareness raising
campaigns.
� United Kingdom: The main policy in place is a landfill tax. It is differentiated
between inert and non-inert wastes, and for the previous 9 years has been
increased though an escalator whereby increases are announced in the
budget to take effect over future years. Some of the revenue is used to fund
environmental projects and programmes relating to waste management. The
UK has also introduced the Landfill Allowance Schemes for the devolved
administrations. This is described further in Section 55.0.
Data for this review has principally been gathered from European based studies, as
there are many policies implemented in the EU. Landfill levies are in place in many
areas of Australia. However, we have focused on the States of South and Western
Australia as they have both produced evaluation studies, thus some of their effects
can be analysed.
52.2.4.1 South Australia
Zero Waste SA was established on July 1, 2003 with the primary objectives of
promoting waste management practices that, as far as possible, eliminate waste or
its consignment to landfill, advance the development of resource recovery and
recycling, and are based on an integrated strategy for the State. 904 The function of
Zero Waste SA is, amongst other things to, from time to time, advise the Minister
about the amount to be charged by way of the levy under Section 113 of the
Environment Protection Act 1993.
The use of landfill levies is the most prominent economic instrument being used in
Australia to influence waste management behaviour. The levy in South Australia
remained fairly static at around $4-5 per tonne until 2003, since when, it has seen
incremental increases to $23.40 for metropolitan waste and $11.70 for nonmetropolitan
waste. 50% of the revenue is paid into the Waste to Resources Fund
pursuant to the Zero Waste SA Act. Of the remaining 50%, 5% goes to Environment
Protection Fund as outlined in the Environment Protection Act to fund specific
904 Hyder Consulting (2007) Review of Solid Waste Levy, Report for Zero Waste SA,
http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/waste_levy_review.php