The ACT Greens are urging the ACT Government to permanently ban waste-to-energy incinerators, warning the technology is harmful, polluting, and incompatible with climate goals and a circular economy.
The call comes amid intensifying public concern over a proposed waste-to-energy incinerator in Tarago, and as Australia faces a summer of extreme heatwaves and bushfires.
ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay said there was no social license for waste incineration projects in the Canberra region, and urged the ACT Government to end any ambiguity by extending the ban indefinitely.
.“Right now we are seeing the real impact of climate disasters: destruction, disconnection and lives lost,” Ms Clay said. “We cannot afford for governments to stall on climate action – and that includes a long-lasting ban on waste-to-energy.”
The ACT’s Waste-to-energy Policy 2020-25 prohibits thermal technologies such as incineration, gasification, and pyrolysis. Ms Clay said it was time for Labor to put the conversation to rest.
“Waste-to-energy produces harmful byproducts and pollutants like heavy metals, toxic air pollutants, bottom ash, furans and dioxins. It poses many risks for people, nature, our waterways, agriculture and our climate.
“Burning waste for energy creates greenhouse gas emissions and is not a sustainable or efficient source of energy.
“Canberrans have a right to a healthy environment. They have a right to know the ACT Government will continue to prohibit harmful and polluting waste-to-energy incinerator projects.
“Considering the ACT is powered by 100% renewable electricity and is phasing out fossil fuel gas, there is no reason for the Government to delay renewing the ban.”
The Greens also argue that waste incineration hampers efforts to build a genuine circular economy.
“Waste-to-energy disincentivises our moves towards a circular economy,” Ms Clay said. “It can also promote more waste generation than ever before.”
The ACT set a resource recovery target of 90 per cent, but actual resource recovery dropped to 65 per cent.
Ms Clay called on the government to progress a circular economy in Canberra and set up local recycling facilities, including ones for soft plastic, and to stop relying on slow-moving federal schemes.
“Governments at all levels must work with industry to design out waste and stop the problem at its source. If we don’t move towards a circular economy, we will see more waste in landfill and more harmful solutions for waste management like waste-to-energy projects.”
Environmental groups back permanent ban
The push for a permanent ban was backed by Toxics Fere Australia. Chair Jane Bremmer praised the ACT’s leadership on zero-waste policy and circular economy goals.
“Burning our waste makes no sense when it is the most expensive and polluting way to make energy or manage what should be the smallest fraction of our waste stream — residual waste,” Ms Bremmer said.
She noted that incineration emits more carbon pollution per unit of energy than coal or gas, and that the European Union is already retreating from the technology.
“Advanced Waste Sorting Technologies coupled with non-combustion residual waste technologies can deliver the sustainable, climate friendly, cheaper and more secure, waste management framework that Australia needs and with 200 times more jobs.
“While the waste incineration industry currently has no social license to operate in Australia and with the EU turning away from this technology, the ACT should continue to uphold its ban for the protection of future generations.”
ACT Government says Code of Practice remains in force
In response, the ACT Government confirmed that the Waste Management and Resource Recovery (Waste-to-Energy) Code of Practice 2023 (No 1) remains in force and clearly prohibits the thermal treatment of waste.
A government spokesperson said the code does not contain an expiry clause and was informed by extensive community consultation undertaken in 2018.
“The Government introduced the ban in response to that consultation, and the principles of the policy are established in the Code of Practice,” the statement said.
The government is now implementing its ACT Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan, which aims to reduce waste and improve resource recovery.
This includes the construction of a new recycling facility; addressing problematic waste streams like single-use plastics with suitable alternatives that can be phased out from circulation; expanding the Container Deposit Scheme; and possibly setting up a dedicated textiles hub to reduce clothing waste and support the ACT’s craft community.
