National Waste Reporting 2013 released

The Department of the Environment has released National Waste Reporting 2013 - an online resource providing access to data about waste management and resource recovery in Australia.

Building on the baseline data presented in the National Waste Report 2010, the resource draws on a range of commissioned research, published sources and information provided by Australian, state and territory governments, business, industry and community organisations. It provides information on trends in waste management and identifies opportunities for better managing our waste.

The report details how much waste is generated and managed across Australia, with facts and figures about issues including hazardous and organic waste, the waste management industry and infrastructure, community and charitable operations, and product stewardship. For example, the resource finds that between 2007 and 2011, Australians increased their recycling efforts from 21.4 million to 27.3 million tonnes per year. They also increased the amount of waste they convert to energy from about 1.32 million to 1.52 million tonnes per year.

The resource includes data sets and time series analysis which can be used by various groups to make informed and timely decisions about waste management and resource recovery. Users can even develop their own maps and reports.

National Waste Reporting 2013 is available at www.environment.gov.au/national-waste-reporting.