Local Government New Zealand says landfill costs could rise by more than a third under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), increasing the risk of illegal dumping.
The Ministry of the Environment is receiving submissions on draft regulations for landfills under the ETS.
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says people could face steep price increases when landfills are required to offset their methane emissions.
LGNZ president Lawrence Yule says estimates for the Napier-Hastings landfill show the requirement would probably increase the cost of dumping waste from $68 per tonne to about $93.
He says that estimate is low because the dump already has methane collection systems, but landfills without them could face even bigger price rises.
