Baselland decides on a landfill tax on construction waste
Published: Monday, Nov 13th 2023, 09:40
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On November 19, the electorate of Basel-Landschaft will decide on the introduction of a cantonal landfill tax. The plan is for the canton to levy up to CHF 50 per tonne of landfilled construction waste if necessary. This is intended to promote the recycling of reusable materials.
At present, the canton has no funds available to levy such an incentive tax. The bill is intended to create the legal basis for this.
Landfilling construction waste is usually cheaper financially than recycling it, writes the government. This prevents the establishment of a building materials cycle. In addition, landfill space in the canton of Basel-Landschaft is scarce and acceptance of new facilities among the population is low. The landfill tax should therefore be used as an instrument to support recycling.
The electorate has to decide on an amendment to both the cantonal constitution and the Environmental Protection Act. The new constitution will stipulate that the canton will levy charges on waste at landfill sites. The amended Environmental Protection Act stipulates that the cantonal government will set the maximum amount of this levy at CHF 50.
Only the SVP adopts a "no" position
The revenue is allocated to the state budget. This is intended to compensate for expenses that the canton has to incur for the remediation of contaminated sites. According to the government, the revenue from the landfill levy will be used to offset provisions amounting to around CHF 150 million in tax revenue earmarked for financing the remediation of contaminated sites.
Both the government and the Landrat voted in favor of the landfill tax with a double yes. The SP, FDP, Greens, EVP, GLP and Mitte support the bill. Only the SVP rejected it.
Opponents do not believe that state intervention in the market is necessary for a functioning building materials cycle. The SVP also considers the amount of up to CHF 50 to be too high. They also believe that parliament, and not the government, should set the amount.
©Keystone/SDA
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