Content page
14 Jul 2021
Organics processing facilities
Processing organics on a commercial scale increases the community's ability to recover and conserve resources and reduces the quantity of organics going to landfills. Recycled organics applied to land can provide multiple benefits to soil health and crop growth, including improved soil structure, improved water retention and higher yields.
Content page
14 Jul 2021
Selling recycled organics products
As we divert more food and garden organics from landfill in NSW, it is important to make best possible use of the recycled product as a valuable commodity. The EPA is investing in the development of strong, viable, sustainable markets for recycled organics, including support for producers, and compliance programs to assure organics product quality and safety.
Content page
14 Jul 2021
Recycled organics publications
Publications about developing markets for recycled organics products, applications for organics, and other related organics research.
Content page
18 Jan 2023
Energy recovery facilities
The NSW Government supports thermal energy recovery as a residual waste management option where it can deliver positive outcomes for the community and human health and the environment are protected.
Content page
17 Apr 2024
Waste levy
The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) requires certain licensed waste facilities in NSW to pay a contribution for each tonne of waste received at the facility. Referred to as the 'waste levy', the contribution aims to reduce the amount of waste being landfilled and promote recycling and resource recovery.
Content page
29 May 2025
Waste levy areas and levy rates
The waste levy applies in the Metropolitan Levy Area (MLA) and Regional Levy Area (RLA), which comprise the Sydney metropolitan area, the Illawarra and Hunter regions, the central and north coast local government areas to the Queensland border, as well as the Blue Mountains, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly local government areas.
Content page
23 Jan 2024
Exemptions from the waste levy
Exemptions from the waste levy are available for certain facilities, and for certain types of waste received at an EPA-licensed landfill.
Content page
01 Aug 2025
Community Service Exemption from the waste levy
The Community Service Exemption (CSE) provides charitable or not-for-profit organisations with an exemption from the NSW waste levy for eligible waste collected or received through community services or activities.