WA worst in nation for recycling

WA has the lowest recycling rate in the country and reuses less than half as much waste as South Australia, according to a report that has sparked renewed criticism of the State Government's landfill levy.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics report into the waste management industry shows that WA diverts 28.2 per cent of all rubbish from landfill sites compared with a national figure of 42.6 per cent.

South Australia, which has Australia's longest running recycling refund scheme, has the highest recycling rate of 66.3 per cent, while all other States bar Queensland (35.4 per cent) reuse more than 40 per cent.

It comes after last month's State Budget showed the Government would fail to meet its Perth recycling target by 10 per cent this financial year.

The figures have raised fresh questions over the effectiveness of the State Government's controversial landfill levy, which Premier Colin Barnett increased 300 per cent in 2009.
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