The Malinauskas Government will prohibit councils imposing kerbside rubbish collection fees based on weight and from charging households in metropolitan Adelaide additional fees for weekly general waste collection.

The proposed reforms, which will undergo consultation, are part of a suite of changes aimed at ensuring households receive affordable, effective and convenient waste management services without additional costs.

Other measures within the Bill include mandating that metropolitan councils continue to provide a three-bin (general waste / comingled recycling / and food and garden organics or FOGO) kerbside collection regime to maximise resource recovery.

The Bill will also prohibit the recombining of waste from kerbside collection bins so that South Australian households can be confident their efforts to recycle in the home are continuing to support the circular economy.

It will also ensure that all new and replacement kerbside rubbish bins comply with Australian Standards such as ensuring all residual rubbish bins have red lids.

Reporting requirements for councils which currently report on kerbside collection performance to Green Industries SA (GISA) will be enhanced and mandated.

Under the new rules, councils will be required to report to the State Government (GISA) on diversion and recycling performance to improve resource recovery outcomes.

The State Government will soon be seeking public input on the draft legislation via www.epa.sa.gov.au

Quotes

Attributable to Susan Close

It is critical that we continue to find ways to reduce the amount of household waste that goes into landfill.

These new laws will assist the State Government to support improved kerbside resource recovery and diversion outcomes while ensuring residents are not adversely affected by the changes.

I encourage South Australians to have their say on this new legislation.