‘World-First’ Recycling Tax in the Works for Australia

A new recycling tax could find its way into Australian household budget amid ongoing cost of living pressures. Under the proposed scheme, from July 1, exporters of recyclables will be charged $30,000 (US$19,494) for a licence, and a fee of $4 on every tonne of recyclables exported overseas. This is despite warnings from the council representing recycling contractors that the new legislation would mean tens of millions of dollars of extra costs will be passed on to Australian taxpayers, as well as potentially creating more landfill. In Australia, paper and cardboard make up 48 percent of the recyclable waste. The National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) argued in a pre-budget submission to the expenditure review committee in January that the new levy would “impact every Australian consumer.”...