Every year, Australia produces millions of tonnes of waste, impacting our environment, economy, and daily lives. The National Waste and Resource Recovery Report 2024 provides a detailed look at how much waste we generate, where it’s coming from, and how well we’re managing it. With waste generation on the rise, it’s more important than ever to understand the numbers and take action.
This article breaks down the report’s key findings in an easy-to-digest way, helping you see the bigger picture and what you can do to help reduce waste.
How much waste does Australia generate every year?
The 2024 report reveals that Australia generated a staggering 75.6 million tonnes of waste in the 2022–23 period. This works out to about 2.88 tonnes per person—a significant amount for each individual in the country.
Breaking it down further, the report categorises waste into three main streams:
- Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): 13.5 million tonnes (18% of total waste). This includes household and council-collected waste, averaging 512 kg per person.
- Commercial and Industrial Waste (C&I): 32.9 million tonnes (44% of total waste). This includes waste from businesses, offices, and industries.
- Construction and Demolition Waste (C&D): 29.2 million tonnes (39% of total waste). This comes from building sites, renovations, and infrastructure projects.
Where is waste increasing the most?
Some states and territories saw a much bigger increase in waste than others. According to the report, waste growth was highest in:
- Western Australia (WA): Up 39%
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Up 25%
- South Australia (SA): Up 24%
Most of this increase is linked to construction and demolition activities, as well as economic growth and population changes. As these areas expand, more waste is being generated, putting pressure on waste management systems.
What’s happening with recycling and resource recovery?
Australia has made progress in recycling and recovering resources, but challenges remain. The report shows that XX% of waste was recovered, meaning it was either recycled, composted, or turned into energy. However, some materials, such as soft plastics and electronic waste (e-waste), are still difficult to recycle effectively.
Key challenges include:
- Recycling contamination: When non-recyclable items end up in recycling bins, it makes processing more expensive and less effective.
- Soft plastics crisis: With major soft plastic recycling programs struggling, more plastic waste is going to landfill.
- E-waste disposal: The rapid rise in electronic devices means more waste, but recycling infrastructure for items like batteries and old phones is still limited.
Despite these issues, there are positive developments. Many local councils and businesses are pushing for better waste solutions, including improved recycling systems and circular economy initiatives that focus on reusing and repurposing materials.
The impact of waste on the environment and economy
Excessive waste generation doesn’t just take up space—it has real environmental and financial costs. Some of the key impacts include:
- Climate change: Landfills produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
- Biodiversity loss: Improperly disposed waste, particularly plastics, harms wildlife and marine ecosystems.
- Rising costs: Managing waste costs billions of dollars each year, with landfill space becoming increasingly scarce.
By reducing waste and improving recycling rates, Australia can cut costs, lower emissions, and protect the environment for future generations.
What can be done?
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce waste at every level—government, business, and individual.
Government Initiatives
Federal and state governments are taking steps to improve waste management, such as:
- Stronger recycling targets to boost resource recovery.
- Product stewardship programs requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for waste (e.g., battery and electronics recycling schemes).
- Investments in waste-to-energy projects to reduce reliance on landfill.
What Businesses Can Do
Companies can play a huge role in reducing waste by:
- Conducting waste audits to see where materials can be reused or minimised.
- Switching to sustainable packaging that can be easily recycled.
- Participating in circular economy initiatives where waste products are repurposed into new materials.
How Individuals Can Help
Every Australian can take simple steps to cut down on waste:
- Reduce: Buy less and choose reusable alternatives (e.g., coffee cups, shopping bags).
- Reuse: Repair and repurpose items instead of throwing them away.
- Recycle correctly: Check local recycling guidelines to avoid contamination.
- Compost food waste: Organic waste makes up a large portion of landfill material, but composting helps reduce emissions and enrich soil.
The final word
The National Waste and Resource Recovery Report 2024 highlights both the challenges and opportunities Australia faces in managing waste. While we are generating more waste than ever, improved policies, recycling efforts, and personal actions can help tackle the problem. By working together, businesses, governments, and individuals can move towards a more sustainable and waste-conscious future.If you’re looking to improve your waste management efforts, speak to Sydney City Rubbish today. Our team is always here to help.
