THE NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed that it will no longer proceed with controversial changes that would have seen small business skip bin operators hit with increased costs as high as 400-500 per cent.

The EPA proposed imposing more stringent criteria for recycling of construction and demolition waste, which would have led to more going to landfill, with higher fees. The government had been silent on the issue as skip bin business operators protested. However, last week Small Business Minister Eleni Petinos announced the EPA had shelved the plans.

NSW Small Business Minister Eleni Petinos said that she welcomed the EPA’s decision to listen to the concerns of small businesses and shelve the proposed changes to the Recovered Fines and Recovered Soils Orders and Exemptions.

“Small businesses have already battled a pandemic for the last two years, as well as increased costs to doing business and cost of living pressures. The absolute last thing small skip bin operators needed was another giant business cost imposed on them,” Ms Petinos said.

“I welcome this decision by the EPA to listen to the feedback from industry and acknowledge the tremendous financial burden this change would have posed to affected small businesses.

“I want to thank all small businesses in the industry who presented their concerns to myself and the Small Business Commissioner. I’d like to also recognise the leadership shown by the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association and Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association of NSW on this matter.”

NSW Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont said that the decision was a win for common sense.

“Stakeholders were very concerned about the impact these changes would have had to waste management recycling centres, skip bin operators and many small businesses across construction. This decision is a win for common sense.”