The circular economy legislation has been approved in Canberra

Canberra businesses in Australia may face fines of up to $40,000 for improper disposal of food waste as part of the government’s efforts to create a circular economy.

• The new regulations will require businesses to develop food waste reduction plans and recycle their leftover food.
• The fines will not be immediately enforced, and the government will initially focus on educating businesses about the new rules.
• The founder of Capital Scraps Composting, Brook Clinton, supports the government’s push for food waste reduction and highlights the positive impact of properly processing food scraps as compost instead of sending them to landfills.
• Canberra currently sends around 9,500 tonnes of organic food waste to landfill each year.
• The Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2030, introduced by City Services Minister Chris Steel, aims to keep thousands of tonnes of food waste out of landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• While there may be some costs for businesses to comply with the new regulations, the government expects significant benefits for the local recycling industry and the environment.

Learn more: abc.net.au