‘World-First’ Recycling Tax in the Works for Australia

‘The more you recycle, the more you’ll have to pay the government.’

Recycled plastic bottles at the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority's recycling site in Edinburgh, Australia, on April 17, 2019. Brenton Edwards/AFP via Getty Images

A new recycling tax could find its way into Australian household budget amid ongoing cost of living pressures.

Under the proposed scheme, from July 1, exporters of recyclables will be charged $30,000 (US$19,494) for a licence, and a fee of $4 on every tonne of recyclables exported overseas.