Queensland, like many regions worldwide, has long relied on linear waste disposal methods to manage the byproducts of its economic activities – including resources and energy operations. While these traditional approaches have served as essential tools for waste management, Queensland is increasingly recognising the need for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious paradigm which also provides an opportunity for economic transformation. This approach is known as a circular economy and seeks to transition from a depletive linear model to a restorative and regenerative one. In the context of the mining and resources sector, where waste is generated from various streams, there is a growing emphasis on transitioning towards circular economy practices by realising the full value and potential of products historically deemed as ‘waste’ (e.g., reprocessing old mine sites and tailings, or recycling off-the-road tyres). This shift aims to not only mitigate the environmental impact of conventional waste disposal but also to harness the potential for resource recovery and recycling, fostering a more resilient and resource-efficient future for the state.
The Queensland Government manages waste through a range of regulatory and guidance mechanisms, such as:
The Queensland Government has set ambitious waste targets for 2050, including a 25% reduction in household waste, a 90% reduction in waste going to landfill, and a 75% recycling rate across all waste types. To help support these targets, the state government has established an Office of Circular Economy under the Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation (DESI) and committed $8 million to research and development in circular economy and mining through the Department of Resources (DoR).
QRC continues to work with Government and the resources sector to develop appropriate measures to further reduce landfill waste and increase recycling and reuse in order to reach these targets, including through the QRC Circular Economy Working Group.
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