reThink Business Waste Service Program - Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of subsidy can be claimed?
Subsidies are fixed at $750 and are once-only payments to help cover staff time and resources used to review existing waste management practices and enter into a new service agreement or variation agreement. They are not dependent on the value of the service agreement entered into as part of the reThink Business Waste Services (RBWS) Program.
My business has engaged the local council as the resource recovery service provider. What should be included in the application form as the service agreement number?
If your business does not have a service agreement number as part of the service provided by local government, include either the property or valuation number in the application form. If still unsure about what to enter, contact the service provider.
My business already has an existing resource recovery service. Can the subsidy be claimed for that service?
No. You cannot claim for an existing resource recovery service as it was entered into prior to the commencement of the RBWS Program. However, any new service agreement or variation agreement entered into after the commencement date of the RBWS Program will be eligible, subject to the Terms and Conditions being met.
If my business already has an existing resource recovery service, and I apply for an additional resource recovery service, is the business eligible for a subsidy?
Yes. This RBWS Program is about supporting the expansion of resource recovery services and diverting more material from going to landfill—so if additional materials can be recycled by introducing another resource recovery service it is eligible for a subsidy for that new service.
My business already has recycling in place. If I vary the service agreement to collect more material, will that be covered under this program?
Yes, a variation to an existing service agreement is eligible under the RBWS Program as long as the variation:
- recovers additional material not previously collected for resource recovery at the applicant’s fixed premises or site
- increases the bin volume, number of bins and/or frequency of collection, which results in an overall net increase of material collected when compared to the existing service.
If the resource recovery service provider is taking away the material at no cost, or is paying the business, is it still eligible for a subsidy?
Yes. Funding is not dependent on the cost of the resource recovery service. The subsidy payment offsets the cost of a business reviewing its existing waste management practices and implementing a new resource recovery service.
My business has investigated its operations and there is nothing to recycle—can it still receive the subsidy?
No. The subsidy will be made to applicants committing to a new service agreement or a variation agreement.
My business currently separates its recycling and delivers it to the recycler—can it receive the subsidy for this?
No. This is classed as self-haul. The RBWS Program is based on the business agreeing to a new service with a resource recovery service provider.
Why is there no subsidy available for self-haul?
One objective of the reThink Business Waste Services Program is to create demand for new resource recovery services in new and regional areas. In doing this, the government hopes to generate more resource recovery options for businesses.
My business is located in a shopping centre and doesn’t manage the resource recovery service agreements—is it still eligible?
No. Under the current arrangements, individual tenants who do not manage their own resource recovery service agreement are not eligible. However, the commercial landlord can apply on behalf of the business and other tenants. Speak with the commercial landlord to organise a new resource recovery service.
My business is located in a shopping centre and doesn’t manage the waste service agreement. However, we are permitted to arrange a resource recovery service for the business—is it still eligible?
Yes. If the business is permitted to introduce and manage its own resource recovery service agreement, it is eligible to apply.
In the case of a commercial landlord who manages waste and resource recovery service agreements on behalf of tenants, can the landlord apply for the subsidy to implement a resource recovery service for them?
Yes. A commercial landlord can apply for a subsidy on behalf of their tenants. An application can be made for each site managed. For example, a strip of shops is managed in Brisbane and another is managed in Cairns, so an application could be logged for each site. Multiple applications for one site will not be accepted.
My business shares its waste bin with several other businesses, can it receive a payment if it sets up its own resource recovery service?
Yes. If the business is permitted to enter into its own resource recovery service agreement it is eligible to apply.
My business would like to share a new resource recovery service with other businesses. Is each business sharing the service eligible for a subsidy?
No. One applicant will need to apply for the subsidy on behalf of all businesses wishing to use the service.
When a group of businesses work together to implement a resource recovery service, who gets the subsidy?
The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) can only provide one subsidy to a single applicant to introduce a resource recovery service. The payment will be made to the business whose name and account details appear on the application form.
Are franchised businesses allowed to apply for a subsidy under the RBWS Program?
Yes. Franchised businesses that meet the applicant eligibility criteria can apply.
My business operates out of more than one location. Can it apply for a subsidy for each of these locations?
That depends. The RBWS Program has been developed to help businesses review their waste management processes and commit to resource recovery services. If different locations are set up as separate businesses with individual ABNs, then each of these locations will be eligible for individual subsidy applications. One business with several locations—but one ABN—will only be eligible for one subsidy.
In the case of a business applicant—if multiple resource recovery service providers are engaged with multiple service agreements, is it eligible for multiple subsidy payments?
No. DERM can only provide one subsidy to an applicant for the introduction of a new service agreement or variation agreement.
My business has signed a service agreement prior to the RBWS Program commencing—does this mean it will miss out altogether on a subsidy?
Not necessarily, there are several options available. The RBWS Program runs until June 2015 or until funds are exhausted—whichever occurs first. If subsidy funding is still available, either a new service agreement can be entered into once the current contract ends, or a new service agreement (in addition to the existing service), or a variation agreement can be introduced at any time in order to apply.
The current waste service provider says that my business must go through them for any recycling services—is this true?
It depends on what is included in your service agreement. Check your service agreement and speak to your waste or resource recovery service provider and/or legal representative about what this may mean for your business. It may also be helpful to read A guide to reviewing waste and recycling contracts and service agreements. (PDF, 224K)*
My business has tried to get a resource recovery service provider to come to our community but no one is prepared to pick it up. What should we do?
One objective of the RBWS Project is to create demand for new resource recovery services in new and regional areas. That is why half of the subsidies available have been allocated to businesses in regional Queensland. In doing this, the government hopes to generate more recovery options for businesses to choose from. See if there are other businesses in the area that would also like a service or contact the industry association for more advice.
Where can my business find resource recovery service providers?
Initially, contact the current waste or resource recovery service provider as they may be able to offer eligible resource recovery services. Alternatively, try Planet Ark's Business Recycling website, which provides a list of possible resource recovery service providers in local areas.
The application for my business has been rejected. Is it still eligible to apply again?
Yes. If a new application is able to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Terms and Conditions (PDF, 509K)* then the business can reapply for the subsidy. The business will need to commence a new application form.
What other support programs are there for business?
DERM will be opening more support programs for business over the coming months. These programs will help business to conduct waste assessments, provide support for introducing small scale infrastructure, and help businesses buy recycling equipment to support in-house recycling. To register interest to receive more information, go to www.derm.qld.gov.au/waste and follow the links to ‘register for business updates’.
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Last updated 10 January 2012