How Much We Recycle
Australia’s recycling of core waste has increased by 52% over the last 13 years.
Among the states and territories, South Australia leads the way with a recycling rate of 80%, followed by the ACT (75%), and NSW and Victoria (both 65%). Methane from landfills represents 97% of emissions from Australia’s waste management industry.
| Name | Recycling Rate of Core Waste + Ash (%) | CAGR | Energy Recovery | Ash | Biosolids | Glass | Hazardous | Masonry Materials | Metals | Mining | Organics | Paper & Cardboard | Plastics | Textiles, Leather & Rubber (excl. tyres) | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 65% | 1.50% | 2.60% | 72.40% | 95.60% | 63.70% | 3.70% | 89.60% | 90.40% | 0.00% | 46.90% | 54.90% | 12.30% | 0.70% | 8.50% |
| VIC | 65% | 2.40% | 3.30% | 0% | 95.00% | 66.80% | 26.20% | 84.60% | 90.50% | 0.10% | 0.10% | 67.30% | 21.20% | 10.40% | 0% |
| QLD | 42% | 1.90% | 2.90% | 17.60% | 100% | 38.00% | 36.20% | 61.70% | 89.00% | 0.00% | 32.80% | 57.30% | 7.40% | 0% | 100% |
| SA | 80% | 0.80% | 4.40% | 0% | 99.00% | 83.30% | 45.40% | 92.00% | 93.30% | 0.00% | 69.70% | 76.30% | 25.80% | 47.40% | 63.30% |
| NT | 19% | 6.30% | 3.40% | NA | 73.90% | 43.50% | 56.60% | 10.90% | 7.80% | 0.00% | 1.00% | 1.00% | 3.10% | 21.20% | 0.00% |
| ACT | 75% | 0.20% | 3.80% | NA | NA | 67.30% | 11.50% | 87.30% | 84.00% | NA | 75.10% | 57.00% | 17.00% | 0.60% | 95.70% |
| WA | 60% | 4.40% | 1.90% | 72.40% | 73.90% | 45.70% | 49.40% | 76.40% | 90.60% | 0.00% | 28.40% | 50.40% | 6.40% | 3.60% | 0% |
| TAS | 39% | 0.60% | 5.30% | NA | 95.00% | 66.80% | 26.20% | 84.60% | 90.50% | 0.10% | 40.80% | 44.20% | 6.10% | 1.20% | 0% |