Many of resources we use in our daily lives are finite. It makes sense to reduce waste using resources efficiently and wisely to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible.

Resource efficiencies benefit communities, businesses and the natural environment through cost savings, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced waste in landfill.

We must use resources wisely to balance the needs of current and future generations. Resource efficiency and the circular economy is about changing consumption and services practices, so products become more durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable. Circular economy practices provide the tools to reduce waste and increase product repurposing and reuse, resulting in employment creation and economic growth.

This strategy will build on existing initiatives and encourage sustainable consumption and production through innovative and efficient solutions to recycle, repurpose and reuse materials. It will also support communities and businesses to use resources wisely to drive innovation, job creation and economic growth in a circular economy.

• Council will deliver a FOGO third bin waste collection service.
• Businesses in the region with fewer than 100 employees can access the free ASPIRE digital tool to transform their waste removal processes, potentially turn their waste materials into income, and track their carbon footprint.
• Free Rethink waste, recycling and composting workshops for residents.
• Council supported Clean Up Australia Day, International Composting Awareness Week, and National Recycling Week activities.
• Twelve waste management facilities accept a wide range of materials for reuse, recycling and disposal.
• Treasure Markets at Dakabin and Caboolture waste facilities rescue useful furniture, cookware, building material, bicycle parts etc from landfill.
• The Sustainability Champions Awards recognise schools and early learning centres leading the way in reducing their waste to landfill.
• Rainwater storage has been installed at The Corso, Caboolture Hub and under sports fields in Samford and Burpengary.
• From early 2024, Unitywater’s Wamuran Irrigation Scheme will provide recycled water for sustainable agribusinesses and divert significant quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus from the Caboolture River.

• Facilitate and expand sustainable waste management approaches which reduce waste to landfill and maximise resource recovery and reuse in response to population and economic growth and changes to technology.
• Implement circular economy principles to keep products and materials in circulation, reducing pressure on the region’s natural resources.
• Encourage sustainable consumption and production patterns to help reduce waste and pollution to minimise adverse impacts on the natural environment.
• Encourage sustainable use of soil and water resources and conserve good quality farming land to support the food and agribusiness industry and promote local resilience and economic growth.

• Divert 85% of waste from landfill by 2040.
• Increase recycling rates to 70% by 2040, including reducing contamination of recycling.

• Incorporate the waste hierarchy (prevent, reduce, reuse then recycle) into decision-making and policy.
• Incorporate innovative and efficient ways to recycle, repurpose and reuse materials into Council projects and activities.
• Council landfill management is based on the principle of ‘waste as a resource’ and incorporates innovative approaches, technologies and solutions for maximum efficiency and reduced pollution.
• Incorporate the circular economy principles into decision making and policy: eliminate waste and pollution; circulate products and materials (at their highest value); and regenerate nature.
• Support communities and businesses to make informed purchasing decisions and have access to recycling, repurposing and reuse options for products and materials to contribute to keeping them in circulation and avoiding waste.
• Develop and expand businesses, industries and supply chains that are responsive to new markets and circular economy opportunities, support them through co-location, partnerships, networking opportunities and promotion of best practice and case studies.
• Adopt appropriate innovative solutions and technologies for energy, water and other resource use efficiencies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to expand on the Regional Economic Development Strategy and encourage and maximise sustainable production and use of local food and fibre resources that support sustainability outcomes such as low food miles eating, farm-to-plate and buy local.