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Rubbish Removal has already become an important part of our daily lives. These services make our chores and other day-to-day activities easier and better.
Companies like us are devoted to providing quality and affordable Sydney rubbish removal services for the locals. But what if the waste industry suddenly faces a shift?
What is changing?
Price hikes are inevitable for several reasons — the waste industry is no exception. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) recently released a statement regarding the increase in skip bins fees. This is part of their proposed changes in the Resource Recovery Orders and Exemptions (RROEs) to be implemented on July 1, 2022, after a few pushbacks.
The EPA conducted multiple reviews of recovered fines since 2013, and over 50% of the resource recovery facilities were producing contaminated recovered fines. Whilst prior improvement has been made, a high percentage of the industry still has failed to comply with the rules and guidelines implemented to protect human health and the environment.
Under the new proposal is the implementation of more stringent sampling and testing requirements to negate the potential contaminants in recovered fines such as plastics, PFASs, asbestos, and other chemicals.
With this, skip bin tips fees will rise by 400-500% as the rate will be charged by weight rather than cubic capacity. The tip fee for every three cubic metre bin would increase from about $250 to $1200, with similar percentage rises for other sizes.
What do the changes mean?
There will be an increase in costs and low recycling rates. To cover the costs of the changes, business operators will have to change their pricing structure, assuming that an increased volume of waste will go to landfills. This includes the shift from conventional cubic metre rates to excess weight charges. Further, as there is a significant increase in the volume of materials that needs to be landfilled, the recovery/recycling rates will most likely drop.
Currently, the EPA only mandates changes to recovered soil materials only. However, independent facilities are rallying to apply this tonnage charge to all waste materials. If this continues, all bin sizes, waste types, and services will be charged on weight, with final charges known only after being tipped.
How will these affect you or your business?
This will immensely affect skip bins business operators, especially small ones and the customers. The costs will relatively increase, many jobs/businesses will be lost, and illegal dumping will be rampant. It directly affects everyone in the industry, and there is no actual benefit to the environment and the economy.
Need more information?
You can read NSW EPA’s official statement on recovered soil fines on their website. We will share more information as it becomes available.
At Aussie Junk, we will remain truthful with our quality and affordable service, following the mandated guidelines for everyone and the environment’s safety.
