Human Settlements
Page 64
Waste
Introduction
Population increase and economic growth create a rising demand for goods and
services and as consumption increases the quantities and types of waste
generated also increases. Local and State waste management strategies to
improve waste minimisation by all sectors, and cleaner operation of businesses
and industries are vital in the effort to both make more efficient use of the natural
resources that go into producing the goods, and also to end dependency on
landfill.
The Environment Protection Authority reports that the main drivers of waste
generation in South Australia are economic growth, urban consolidation,
household formation trends (fewer people in more dwellings), under-provision in
some areas of garden waste and other recycling services, and community
attitudes (EPA, 2003).
The rate at which waste is sent to landfill is increasing and places significant
pressure on the environment through land, air and water pollution.
South Australia’s Strategic Plan includes a goal to ‘reduce waste to landfill by
35% by 2020’ Zero Waste SA is the key driver in achieving that goal and other
targets in South Australia’s Waste Strategy 2011–2015..
Zero Waste SA is established by the Zero Waste SA Act 2004, and uses a Waste
to Resources Fund (funded by the levy paid by waste depot licence holders) to
achieve waste management objectives.
Waste Environmental Indicators
Trends
•
Total domestic waste stream tonnes collected since 2005/06: INCREASED
•
Waste diverted from landfill since 2005/06: INCREASED
Goals
Target 67: Zero waste
Reduce waste to landfill by 35%
by 2020
(baseline: 2002-
03) Milestone of 25% by 2014.
South Australian Strategic Plan 2011
