From January 1 this year, China implemented new limits on the types of recyclable waste it chooses to import.

This has meant Australian councils have had to grapple with the bleak prospect of reduced recycling revenues.

As a result of the China ban, one council, the Ipswich City Council in Queensland, has resorted to putting more than 200,000 of its ratepayers’ recyclable waste into landfill.

But City of Launceston general manager Michael Stretton said council would “definitely not” adopt a similar approach.

Mr Stretton also denied that council would be forced to increase rates in response to the China ban.

He said Launceston’s lower recycling contamination rates meant that the recyclable waste it generated was of a high standard.

The City of Launceston council had a “very clear message” for ratepayers on this issue, according to Mr Stretton.

“The best thing you can do to combat changes in global recycling markets is to recycle more and recycle better, right here in Northern Tasmania,” he said.

“The better we sort our recyclable materials, the more in demand our material is from processers both nationally and abroad.”

Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten concurred with Mr Stretton and expressed confidence in ratepayers’ recycling habits.

"The vast majority of Launceston households are deeply committed to recycling and to reducing the environmental impact of their waste,” he said.

"The recent revelations about changes in international markets should prompt us to redouble our efforts to ensure our recyclable items are free from contamination.”

A Council of Australian Governments meeting between the nation’s environment ministers will take place next week to address the recycling crisis.