33007 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment

33007 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment: What consideration, if any, did the Minister give to the economic analysis that suggests landfilling costs approximately $300 per tonne compared to $100 per tonne for composting or anaerobic digestion in the decision to abandon a nationwide mandate for kerbside food scraps?

Hon Penny Simmonds: A key consideration in the decision to rescind the policy mandate for council food scraps collections is to provide councils with flexibility to choose how they address food waste in their regions (including timing), noting that many councils are facing challenges with increases to rates and the current cost of living. Councils will need to undertake economic analysis specific to their local circumstances and can still access funding to support the roll-out of kerbside services if they wish to do so.