Magnetic Island's
Zero Waste Strategy
The 2025 - 2030 Towards Zero Waste Magnetic Island strategy has been delivered!
This five-year waste strategy sets out a roadmap for how we can transition Magnetic Island into become a leading zero-waste community and divert 80% of all waste from landfill. To achieve this target, an additional 500 tonnes per annum needs to be diverted by taking actions to refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, re-gift, recycle, repair and return. As a community, we must take greater responsibility - both individually and collectively - for reducing waste generation.
Vision:
Magnetic Island to become a global leader in sustainability and a 'Towards Zero Waste' community – protecting our precious Great Barrier Reef and natural environment for generations to come.
Mission - Towards Zero Waste Goals
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Reduce waste to landfill.
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Improve organics recovery.
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Implement new waste management practices.
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Promote circular economy.
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Drive community and visitor behaviour change.
2030 Targets
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Divert 80% or 500 tonnes of waste from landfill
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Recycle 65% of waste
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Recover 80% of all Containers for Change containers
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Reduce greenhouse gas generation by 35%
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Reduce household waste by 15%
Actions, responsibility and timeline
There are 61 actions identified in the strategy, with organisations nominated to lead each one, and an expected timeline for implementation. The actions are set out in the Reports listed below:
Community Survey Informs 'Towards Zero Waste Magnetic Island' Strategy
The Magnetic Island Community Development Association (MICDA), Totally Renewable Magnetic (TRM), and Zero Waste Magnetic Island (ZWMI) recently delivered the Towards Zero Waste Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) Strategy.
A key part of this effort was a community survey, funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, which was conducted in collaboration with the University of Queensland. The survey's purpose was to understand islanders' attitudes and actions regarding waste and energy behaviours.
The full 2024 survey results are available here and are free to share and use.
How was the Strategy developed?
The Towards Zero Waste Strategy was developed by MICDA with support from Townsville City Council and funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. It was based on two years of:
• Community and visitor surveys
• Focus groups and stakeholder input
• A detailed island-wide waste audit
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This Strategy sets out a practical path to reduce waste, cut emissions, and protect our World Heritage Island and Reef values.
Based on Circular Economy principles – rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, and more.
Informed by local data – including events, waste and survey of residents, business and visitors.
Targets aligned with State and Federal policy.
Actions backed by timelines and budgets.
Why waste matters on Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island generates significant waste — not just from our 2,400 residents but from 290,000 annual visitors, staying an estimated 880,000 nights per year.
When organic waste ends up in landfill, it creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Addressing this helps tackle climate change — the biggest threat to the Reef — and keeps our island clean and healthy.
Reducing waste = Saving energy, emissions, raw materials and money.
Who was behind the strategy?
We partnered with APC Waste Consultants, island waste strategy specialists with over 35 years experience. Led by Anne Prince, APC has delivered successful strategies for:
• Lord Howe Island - with a 84% diversion from landfill!
• Norfolk Island, Kangaroo Island and Rottnest Island.
• 16 Torres Strait Islands and 25 First Nations communities
… and many more communities.
Anne Prince and her team brings decades of experience Australia-wide in waste solutions tailored for remote, regional and island communities.
Anne Prince from APC.
A shared vision
The Magnetic Island community shares a vision of becoming a leader in sustainability — including becoming a 'Towards Net Zero Waste Island".
The Strategy reflects our values and practical needs, and it will help guide future waste programs, projects, and policies.
We now have a strategy that we can all be proud of.
Stay involved!
• Download the Towards Zero Waste Strategy
• Join the Zero Waste Magnetic Island mailing list
• Follow the journey on Facebook and Instagram.
The Community Climate Action Project for Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
Visit our Facebook page to stay up to date!
Our Partners:
