Towards Zero Waste

Zero Waste is a goal, a process, a way of thinking that profoundly changes our approach to resources and production. Not only is Zero Waste about recycling and diverting materials from landfills, but it is also about restructuring production and distribution systems to prevent waste from being produced in the first place.

Zero waste ensures that resources already in existence are used to their maximum potential, avoiding the exploitation of untapped resources, while also providing economic and environmental efficiencies throughout the chain of production.

However, achieving Zero Waste requires a significant behavioural shift within the community. Our current ‘disposable’ mindset will need to embrace the notion of waste minimisation, beneficial reuse, and resource recovery. Without these changes, a large portion of Brisbane’s wealth will continue to be spent on addressing escalating waste management issues.

Residents will need to buy ‘greener’, while industry will need to design and manufacture ‘cleaner’. Where waste generation can not be avoided, it will be recovered as a resource for reuse or recycling.

By taking these steps, our reliance on landfill will progressively lessen, and we will become a ‘sustainable’ city – where there will be enough for all, forever.

Read more about Brisbane City Council’s Towards Zero Waste strategy (PDF - 1.87Mb).*

Our Targets

In order to achieve our goal of Zero Waste, Council has set a number of targets which align with the Queensland State Waste Reduction and Recycling Strategy 2010-2020.

Council's goals are:

• reduce waste disposal to landfill by 25% by 2014
• increase recycling of municipal solid waste by 50% by 2014
• increase recycling of commercial and industrial waste by 40% by 2014
• increase recycling of construction and demolition waste by 50% by 2014
• reduce generation of waste by 15% by 2020

Council was able to achieve the following Toward Zero Waste strategy progress in 2010-2011:

• 91,436 tonnes of materials were recycled – the largest increase in recent years
• 6,125 tonnes of green waste were collected and diverted from landfill
• 137 tonnes of bargains were sold through the Brisbane Tip Shop
• 250 new public place recycling bins were installed across Brisbane, diverting 240 tonnes of recycling from landfill
• 8,000 students took part in the Rethink your Rubbish education programs
• 2,500 residents attended free compost and worm farm workshops
• 2,341 tonnes of e-waste has been collected for recycling since 2006
• more than 200 litter-proof tree grates were installed across Brisbane City
• 24% reduction in on-ground litter since 2009
• 32,032 MWh of green energy was produced at Council’s Rochedale Landfill site (enough to power 6,500 homes every year), saving 141,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions