Waste and Recovery Service Details

Landfill Waste Levy

The State Landfill Levy was introduced in 2022 at 12 fee units ($20/tonne) to support investment in resource recovery and circular economies. It increases to 24 fee units in 2024 and 36 fee units in 2026, with the 2025–26 rate set at $45.84/tonne.

Diversion from Landfill

Around 40% of household waste in Burnie is food and garden waste. When sent to a landfill, it produces methane, a harmful greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than CO₂. Through FOGO collections, we can divert 1,250 tonnes of organic waste each year for composting, recovering nutrients and reducing emissions.

Burnie is now part of the North West Resource Recovery and Recycling (NWRRR) alliance, working with neighbouring councils to support reducing waste from landfill by providing opportunities for FOGO and recycling collections.

With FOGO and improved recycling, Council aims to achieve a 60% diversion rate from landfill through kerbside collections.  Once you remove organics and recyclables, the remaining household landfill waste can be minimal, mostly soft plastics, nappies, wipes, pet waste, takeaway cups, foil-lined tetra packs and small broken items.

This diversion supports regional and state waste recovery objectives, plus reduces the cost of the landfill levy. Take a look at the tracker to see how much each council has saved:

🔗 nwrrr.com.au/tracker

To reach the 60% diversion target, the region needs Burnie to do our bit!

FOGO, waste (and some recycling bins) will be delivered in early September to all property types within the serviced zone (excluding the CBD) including residential, commercial, industry, primary production and other types.

Businesses and Industry are advised to make contact with commercial waste operators for additional waste collections.

Cardboard - With the introduction of these new services, the Council cardboard collection outside of the CBD will cease. Commercial cardboard collection is available by private arrangement through commercial waste operators, and free cardboard skips continue to be provided at the Burnie Waste Management Centre (BWMC) recovery loop. Businesses without a private arrangement must take the cardboard directly to the BWMC. 

Rural inclusion - All Rural and primary production properties within the serviced inzone between Burnie and Ridgley will be receiving a waste and FOGO bin to join their fortnightly recycling bin.

Outzone - excluded

From 25 September 2025 (final collection), kerbside waste collection will cease for 120 properties located outside the defined service boundary.

These properties will no longer be charged a kerbside collection fee on their rates from this date (prorata from 28 September).

Affected areas include: Stowport, Natone, Tewkesbury, Highclere, Ridgley Circular Road, and areas west and south of Guide Falls.

Council recommends these households arrange waste services with a commercial provider (details below), as over 700 of the outzone properties already manage their waste this way.

🔗 Kerbside Collection Zones(PDF, 354KB)  

Existing landfill and cardboard collections in the Burnie CBD will continue to be available during a transition period on a cost-recovery fee for service basis.

FOGO and recycling bins will not be rolled out to businesses within the CBD in September 2025, with plans for future storage and kerbside presentation challenges to be addressed through Council’s CBD urban redesign project, aligned with regional business waste initiatives over the next few years. 

The single bin per tenement Council-rated collection of waste and cardboard occurs weekly on a Tuesday.

For recycling or paper collections,  within the CBD, businesses will need to seek a private arrangement.

Council seeks input from all businesses in Burnie around the current challenges in the CBD and future needs for additional waste, as part of the broader urban planning project, via this CBD Waste Needs Survey 

After the 31 July for future additional weekly waste services businesses will need to see a private arrangement or re-apply to Council on a fee-for-service basis invoiced monthly:

CBD Additional Waste Collection Application.

From 29 September, waste collections in the CBD will occur from 6am aligned to work in with the timing of regional collections.

For properties outside the collection zone, and those needing additional services beyond the fortnightly Council collection, private waste operators service all areas within Burnie.

These providers offer 240L and 660L bin or larger skip options for general waste, recycling, paper, secure shredding and cardboard collection.

New 240Ltr landfill waste bins with a red lid will be rolled out to all properties within the designated serviced Inzone. Each bin will be assigned to a rated property tenement using a unique serial number to support better data collection and ongoing maintenance. Start using your new bins as soon as you receive them.

15-18 September will be the last collection of your old bin.

If you would like to keep your old bin and repurpose it, you may!

Council will accept old general waste bins for recycling - these can be left empty at the kerb for collection on 22-25 September or dropped off at the Waste Management Centre.

Collected bins will be recycled into new plastic products. 

Please call council on 25 September if your old bin has not been removed.

The first new red-lid landfill bin collection will be 22-25 September, alternating fortnightly.

Weigh-in / weigh-out, its easy, and no need for tickets.

We have heard your feedback, the current voucher system allocated to ratepayers has some known limitations, particularly for tenants of leased properties within the Burnie municipality.

As part of the transition to fortnightly waste collection and in response to community feedback,  a simpler system will be implemented without the need for vouchers.

From 1 July, residents can drop off up to 100kg of household waste per visit at the Burnie Waste Management Centre free of charge.

Just use the free recovery loop first, then weigh in/out any remaining waste for landfill or green waste at the tollbooth. No tickets needed.  If your load is over 100kg simply pay the extra eg $4.90 for 20 kg.

Load Fees

Following the successful weigh-in, and weigh-out trial in 2023–24, load charges at the Waste Management Centre are now based on actual weight. The rate remains unchanged from last year at $245 per tonne (incl. GST). 

Businesses and organisations can also use the free recovery loop; remaining landfill or green waste for non-residents is charged at $245/tonne (minimum charge $24.5)

See the full list of items and fees here:  Waste - Fees and Charges 2025-2026(PDF, 445KB)

As part of the transition to the site operations subcontractor managing toll booth services at the Burnie Waste Management Centre, the facility will move to a cashless payment system from Monday, 10 November 2025.

1. Why is the Burnie Waste Management Centre going cashless?

This change reflects the community’s growing use of cashless payments and the fact that many residents already make use of the free disposal for loads under 100kg per visit.

Since introducing this 100kg free disposal, very little cash has been taken over the counter, making it no longer cost-effective or necessary to maintain cash-handling and security arrangements. Going cashless helps to:

• Keep staff and customers safe by avoiding handling cash.
• Make transactions faster and reduce waiting times.
• Improve accuracy and record-keeping.
• Provide a modern, convenient service that matches how people pay elsewhere.

2. What if someone doesn’t have a card or contactless payment option?

Residents without a card can still use the free disposal for under 100kg per visit.

If your load looks to be over 100kg, our toll booth team will check how you plan to pay. Waste can’t be accepted without a commitment to pay on that visit, so you may need to return with a cashless payment option.

Commercial customers who previously used cash and don’t have a card or cashless option can set up a Burnie City Council account to make future visits easier: Burnie Waste Management Centre - Credit Application Form(PDF, 75KB)

3. Is Council still supporting residents with free disposal?

Yes. Burnie residents can still dispose of under 100kg per visit for free. This continues as normal and covers many household trips.

4. Can the Waste Management Centre legally refuse cash?

Yes it’s perfectly legal to go cashless. The important thing is that customers are informed before paying. This could be through a sign at the entry or toll booth, or by staff letting you know before payment is required.

5. Why did Burnie City Council join the North West Regional Waste Resource Recovery (NWRRR) alliance?

Council joined the NWRRR alliance to work with other North West councils and make waste services more efficient and consistent across the region.
Through this partnership, Burnie can:

• Share expertise, resources, and innovation.
• Improve cost savings through regional contracts.

• Support a consistent regional approach to waste and recycling.

6. Why is Dulverton Waste Management now managing the Burnie Waste Management Centre?

Dulverton Waste Management (DWM) is a regional, council-owned specialist with strong experience in managing waste facilities and contracts.
With DWM managing the site, Burnie gains:

• Operational efficiencies and shared systems.
• Access to regional contracts for waste and recycling services.
• Better compliance and environmental management through regional expertise.

7. Will there be any change in how residents use the site?

Not much will change. The same services, recycling areas, and friendly team will still be there.
The only difference is that loads over 100kg will now need to be paid for using a card or contactless method.

In addition, there will be more regional recovery initiatives and activities taking place onsite, funded through the State Waste Levy grant, supporting improved recycling and resource recovery outcomes for the region.

8. How does this change fit into Burnie’s broader Waste Service Optimisation?

Going cashless is part of Council’s plan to:

• Make waste services simpler and more efficient.
• Improve financial management and safety.
• Support the regional waste strategy and national goals for better waste and recycling outcomes.

This is a positive, future-focused change that will make the Waste Management Centre safer and more efficient, while keeping free disposal for smaller loads and supporting Burnie’s long-term waste and recycling goals.

We know green waste changes have raised some concerns.  Council is working on service delivery options to balance cost recovery with encouraging responsible waste reduction. We’ve updated green waste fees to reflect the current costs of processing, including transport to Dulverton, a regional council-owned composting facility, where it’s turned into safe, certified compost.

We understand this creates extra costs for those who previously relied on vouchers. Our focus is on helping households manage waste more easily, especially with FOGO starting in September.

For any excess, Burnie residents have access 100kg free per visit for waste disposal (including green waste) with proof of residency like a driver’s licence.

We encourage considering practical ways to reduce future green waste, such as:

• Using low-maintenance or native plantings,

• Increasing mulch mowing and on-site mulching or chipping,

• Designing gardens to minimise heavy pruning.

We understand this shift may take time, but small adjustments can help reduce the need for tip trips, improve soil health, and support local biodiversity.

We also acknowledge the important role gardening services play in keeping properties safe and well-maintained. Many operators are already helping residents make long-term changes through options like low-maintenance landscaping, on-site mulching, mulch mowing, and tailored advice to reduce green waste.

We’re keen to promote practical, affordable ways to reduce waste while keeping properties safe and tidy.

These changes are guided by key principles that aim to balance environmental responsibility, regional efficiency, service cost equity, and market access.

1. Environmental Responsibility: The new service aims to significantly reduce landfill waste and emissions by increasing recycling and diverting organic material through FOGO.
2. Efficiency and Cost Management: A regional collection model helps manage rising waste costs through shared services and operational efficiency.
3. Service Delivery Equity and Clarity: Clear service boundaries and a consistent, cost-recovered service model ensure fair access for all properties, with improved data recording.
4. Competitive Neutrality: Council is committed to encouraging a competitive waste collection market for additional waste and cardboard collection services, inside or outside the collection zone, available on a fee-for-service basis from commercial waste operators.

We are part of a bigger picture of waste minimisation initiatives; Regional, State and National.

Region

• North West Resource Recovery Recycling (NWRRR)  alliance   
• Cradle Coast Waste Management Group Strategic Plan 2023-2028

Rethink Waste Tasmania

• Landfills
• Recycling
• Composting

State Strategy

• Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2023 – 2026

• Natural Resources and Environment (NRM) Resource Recovery 

National Policy

• Australian Government’s Waste Action Policy