Climate Change Strategy Phase 1: MidCoast Council
8.9 Waste management
Description
Waste to landfill comprises the largest source of emissions in Council’s carbon footprint, with 63,494 t CO2-e representing 62.5% of Council’s total emissions. The vast majority of these emissions result from the decomposition of waste created by the community because when organic waste breaks down in landfill it generates methane - a greenhouse gas 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. MidCoast Council adopted the Waste Management 2030 Strategy in 2019, with a key target of achieving a 75% diversion rate for waste to landfill, up from the 2018/19 diversion rate of 63%. The Strategy also aims to increase the diversion of food waste, lower contamination in recyclables, increase recycling, and reduce soft plastics. Council’s Strategy is informed by and informs the Regional MidWaste Strategy which is in the final year of its coverage (2021).
SUMMARY OF MIDCOAST COUNCIL’S WASTE MANAGEMENT 2030 STRATEGY
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