GasNZ submits on waste management reform

5 June 2025

Last week, GasNZ responded to the government’s proposals to amend the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and Litter Act 1979.

The submission to the Ministry for the Environment's consultation focussed on Question 6 of the consultation which proposed removing the blanket waste disposal levy exclusion for “waste-to-energy” facilities.

This change could harm the economics of renewable gas production.

GasNZ noted that “waste-to-energy” is not a defined term, and the consultation did not clearly define the scope of the proposal.

Our submission was that disposal of waste by incineration should be subject to the waste disposal levy, but production of biomethane via anaerobic digestion should not.