Sydney's landfill sites could hit capacity in the next decade, with experts warning the impact could halt kerbside pickups and cause a $23 billion hit to the economy.
Recycling rates in Sydney have flatlined in the last decade, with 7.7 million tonnes of waste, according to a report released by the NSW Environment Protection Authority today. Much of that goes into four landfills across Sydney, including in Eastern Creek and Lucas Heights.
Landfills in Sydney, like the one in Eastern Creek, could hit capacity in less than five years. ( Jeff Smith/Alamy)Should these landfills hit capacity, it may put kerbside rubbish pick ups in jeopardy for Sydney's five million residents, Climate Change and Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has warned.
"NSW has a waste and recycling crisis. If we don't act now… red bins will not be able to be collected in Sydney and parts of regional NSW by 2030," she said.
The report said even if kerbside pick ups continue, waste being moved to regional or interstate landfills could cost the taxpayer 20 per cent more to get their red bins picked up.
This scenario could also delay or even cancel critical infrastructure projects in Sydney, which would have a severe impact on the economy.
Government figures claim $23 billion could be wiped from the state's economy, as well as a loss of over 11,000 jobs.
The state government has warned kerbside pick ups could increase in cost or stop altogether. (9News)Such shortages could lead to residents taking issues into their own hands and causing more problems than solutions.
"People may also stockpile or illegally dump their waste, polluting our environment and threatening human health," Sharpe said.
To address the issue, the government has pledged to streamline the planning and approval process to expand current landfills in Sydney, as well as reopening previously closed landfills to meet expected demand in the next five years.
However, the report warns this is not a silver bullet.
"Extending or expanding the capacity of currently operating landfills in Greater Sydney doesn't remove these risks; it just delays them," it said.