Here's why the proposal for a new pay-per-throw tax model is controversial: 'Absolutely a ridiculous idea'
- Replies 29
Waste management is an ongoing challenge across Australia as landfills fill up and environmental concerns grow.
Officials in one state are now considering a new 'pay as you throw' model that could see residents charged per kilogram of rubbish collected.
The proposal for the new rubbish disposal system came from South Australia's Green Industries Department, which could lower standard council rates for households with lower waste volume and increase the charges for those with higher waste volumes.
The aim is to incentivise waste reduction and recycling. However, the plan has faced significant backlash over concerns about fairness and the potential for illegal dumping.
‘It doesn’t make sense, it is not equitable,’ a resident told a news source.
Another resident claimed that the council services should be ‘balanced and fair’. She added: ‘And I think we pay [a] lot already for everything, for every other service.’
The proposal would specifically affect families with babies and toddlers, who produce more waste.
South Australian Liberal Leader David Speirs has condemned the proposal, calling it a ‘nappy tax’ on families struggling with the cost of living.
‘We are all for finding ways to reduce waste, but Labor’s “nappy tax” would unfairly target larger families, particularly those with young children, at a time when they can least afford it,’ he argued.
He further explained: ‘When I served as the state’s Environment Minister, I categorically rejected the idea because it would cost households more and create an additional administrative burden on local councils.’
‘There is also a great risk of creating neighbourly disputes, with the possibility of some people putting their household rubbish in their neighbour’s bins to save themselves money,’ he added.
Some residents have expressed concerns on social media about people putting rubbish in their bins to avoid extra costs or dumping more rubbish on the street.
Maree Fitzgibbon stated: ‘This will encourage dishonest people to put their rubbish in neighbours bins.’
‘More people will dump rubbish illegally to get out of paying for this…absolutely a ridiculous idea when most families are struggling to keep a roof over their head and food in their children‘s bellies,’ Jessie May pointed out.
An online poll by a news source revealed the scheme's unpopularity among residents.
From a total of 685 votes, 87 per cent of voters deemed the proposal unfair, while only 13 per cent considered it a reasonable incentive to reduce waste.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas confirmed that there will be no changes to kerbside collection services.
‘We will not be changing that in any way, shape, or form,’ he assured.
What’s your take on this new proposal, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Officials in one state are now considering a new 'pay as you throw' model that could see residents charged per kilogram of rubbish collected.
The proposal for the new rubbish disposal system came from South Australia's Green Industries Department, which could lower standard council rates for households with lower waste volume and increase the charges for those with higher waste volumes.
The aim is to incentivise waste reduction and recycling. However, the plan has faced significant backlash over concerns about fairness and the potential for illegal dumping.
A new ‘pay per throw’ disposal system was proposed in South Australia. Credit: Gary Chan/Unsplash
‘It doesn’t make sense, it is not equitable,’ a resident told a news source.
Another resident claimed that the council services should be ‘balanced and fair’. She added: ‘And I think we pay [a] lot already for everything, for every other service.’
The proposal would specifically affect families with babies and toddlers, who produce more waste.
South Australian Liberal Leader David Speirs has condemned the proposal, calling it a ‘nappy tax’ on families struggling with the cost of living.
‘We are all for finding ways to reduce waste, but Labor’s “nappy tax” would unfairly target larger families, particularly those with young children, at a time when they can least afford it,’ he argued.
He further explained: ‘When I served as the state’s Environment Minister, I categorically rejected the idea because it would cost households more and create an additional administrative burden on local councils.’
‘There is also a great risk of creating neighbourly disputes, with the possibility of some people putting their household rubbish in their neighbour’s bins to save themselves money,’ he added.
Some residents have expressed concerns on social media about people putting rubbish in their bins to avoid extra costs or dumping more rubbish on the street.
Maree Fitzgibbon stated: ‘This will encourage dishonest people to put their rubbish in neighbours bins.’
‘More people will dump rubbish illegally to get out of paying for this…absolutely a ridiculous idea when most families are struggling to keep a roof over their head and food in their children‘s bellies,’ Jessie May pointed out.
An online poll by a news source revealed the scheme's unpopularity among residents.
From a total of 685 votes, 87 per cent of voters deemed the proposal unfair, while only 13 per cent considered it a reasonable incentive to reduce waste.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas confirmed that there will be no changes to kerbside collection services.
‘We will not be changing that in any way, shape, or form,’ he assured.
What’s your take on this new proposal, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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