Waste
You are viewing the archived 2015 report.
Key messages
Key findings—Household
State
- Household waste landfilled
The amount of domestic kerbside waste sent to landfill decreased from about 1.28 million tonnes in 2012-2013 to about 1.21 million tonnes in 2014-2015.
- Household waste recovered or recycled
Between 2010-2011 and 2014-2015 the amount of glass and plastic being sent for recycling by councils increased by about 6,500 tonnes and 6,900 tonnes respectively, although paper and cardboard recycling declined by about 24,000 tonnes.
- Per capita waste generation
Adjusting for population levels, the amounts of waste landfilled per capita in all regions were roughly comparable. In general the rates of disposal per capita were higher in remote Queensland.
- Construction and demolition waste landfilled
The 1,493,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste landfilled in 2014-2015 was about 93,000 tonnes lower than in the previous year but about 644,000 tonnes more than in 2011-2012.
- Construction and demolition waste recovered or recycled
The amount of construction and demolition waste recovered rose from about 949,000 tonnes in 2011-2012 to about 1,807,000 tonnes in 2014-2015.
- Commercial and industrial waste landfilled
The 1.518 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste landfilled in 2014-2015 was similar to the amounts reported in previous years.
- Commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled
The 1.069 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled in 2014-2015 was a decrease of about 241,000 tonnes on the amount reported in 2013-2014.
- Trackable waste landfilled
In 2014-2015, 63% of trackable waste (by waste amount) disposed to landfill in Queensland was in the high level waste category of ‘solid and sludge wastes requiring special handling’.
- Trackable waste recovered
In 2014-2015, 52% of the trackable waste (by waste amount) recovered (which includes recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative use of the waste) in Queensland was in the high level category of ‘putrescible and organic wastes’.
Pressure
- Interstate household waste received
In 2014-2015, about 45,000 tonnes of household waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
- Interstate construction and demolition waste received
About 259,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal in 2014-2015.
- Interstate commercial and industrial waste received
In 2014-2015, about 22,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
- Number of litter items in Queensland
The average number of litter items at urban sites in Queensland has been consistently higher than the average across Australia. There has been a gradual decline in the number of litter items and volume of litter recorded since 2005 in both Queensland and Australia.
- Number of litter items for different site types
The average number of litter items is higher in Queensland than Australia across all site types particularly shopping centres, retail strips and highways. Average litter items at shopping centres and highway sites in Queensland have increased in recent surveys, in contrast to the general decline in the number of litter items.
- Main material types littered
Cigarette butts are the most common type of litter although they make up only a very small fraction of the total volume of litter. Glass is the least prevalent litter type; there is a relatively high number and volume of plastic waste items.
- Illegal dumping in Queensland
Illegal dumping is defined in Queensland as the unlawful depositing of 200 litres or more of waste.
- Interstate trackable waste received
About 87% of the trackable waste received in Queensland from other Australian states and territories in 2014-2015 came from New South Wales.
Programs
| Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) | The Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) is a web-based system for operators to report on their waste data returns. The system has been enhanced to allow for the expanded capture of information about waste disposal and resource recovery. |
| State of Waste and Recycling in Queensland report | The State of Waste and Recycling in Queensland report includes information gathered each year through the Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) annual survey. It is a guide of the state of waste in that year and the results are assessed against the targets set in the Waste Strategy. |
Key findings—Construction and demolition
State
- Household waste landfilled
The amount of domestic kerbside waste sent to landfill decreased from about 1.28 million tonnes in 2012-2013 to about 1.21 million tonnes in 2014-2015.
- Household waste recovered or recycled
Between 2010-2011 and 2014-2015 the amount of glass and plastic being sent for recycling by councils increased by about 6,500 tonnes and 6,900 tonnes respectively, although paper and cardboard recycling declined by about 24,000 tonnes.
- Per capita waste generation
Adjusting for population levels, the amounts of waste landfilled per capita in all regions were roughly comparable. In general the rates of disposal per capita were higher in remote Queensland.
- Construction and demolition waste landfilled
The 1,493,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste landfilled in 2014-2015 was about 93,000 tonnes lower than in the previous year but about 644,000 tonnes more than in 2011-2012.
- Construction and demolition waste recovered or recycled
The amount of construction and demolition waste recovered rose from about 949,000 tonnes in 2011-2012 to about 1,807,000 tonnes in 2014-2015.
- Commercial and industrial waste landfilled
The 1.518 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste landfilled in 2014-2015 was similar to the amounts reported in previous years.
- Commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled
The 1.069 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled in 2014-2015 was a decrease of about 241,000 tonnes on the amount reported in 2013-2014.
- Trackable waste landfilled
In 2014-2015, 63% of trackable waste (by waste amount) disposed to landfill in Queensland was in the high level waste category of ‘solid and sludge wastes requiring special handling’.
- Trackable waste recovered
In 2014-2015, 52% of the trackable waste (by waste amount) recovered (which includes recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative use of the waste) in Queensland was in the high level category of ‘putrescible and organic wastes’.
Pressure
- Interstate household waste received
In 2014-2015, about 45,000 tonnes of household waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
- Interstate construction and demolition waste received
About 259,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal in 2014-2015.
- Interstate commercial and industrial waste received
In 2014-2015, about 22,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
- Number of litter items in Queensland
The average number of litter items at urban sites in Queensland has been consistently higher than the average across Australia. There has been a gradual decline in the number of litter items and volume of litter recorded since 2005 in both Queensland and Australia.
- Number of litter items for different site types
The average number of litter items is higher in Queensland than Australia across all site types particularly shopping centres, retail strips and highways. Average litter items at shopping centres and highway sites in Queensland have increased in recent surveys, in contrast to the general decline in the number of litter items.
- Main material types littered
Cigarette butts are the most common type of litter although they make up only a very small fraction of the total volume of litter. Glass is the least prevalent litter type; there is a relatively high number and volume of plastic waste items.
- Illegal dumping in Queensland
Illegal dumping is defined in Queensland as the unlawful depositing of 200 litres or more of waste.
- Interstate trackable waste received
About 87% of the trackable waste received in Queensland from other Australian states and territories in 2014-2015 came from New South Wales.
Programs
| Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) | The Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) is a web-based system for operators to report on their waste data returns. The system has been enhanced to allow for the expanded capture of information about waste disposal and resource recovery. |
| State of Waste and Recycling in Queensland report | The State of Waste and Recycling in Queensland report includes information gathered each year through the Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) annual survey. It is a guide of the state of waste in that year and the results are assessed against the targets set in the Waste Strategy. |
Key findings—Commercial and industrial
State
- Household waste landfilled
The amount of domestic kerbside waste sent to landfill decreased from about 1.28 million tonnes in 2012-2013 to about 1.21 million tonnes in 2014-2015.
- Household waste recovered or recycled
Between 2010-2011 and 2014-2015 the amount of glass and plastic being sent for recycling by councils increased by about 6,500 tonnes and 6,900 tonnes respectively, although paper and cardboard recycling declined by about 24,000 tonnes.
- Per capita waste generation
Adjusting for population levels, the amounts of waste landfilled per capita in all regions were roughly comparable. In general the rates of disposal per capita were higher in remote Queensland.
- Construction and demolition waste landfilled
The 1,493,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste landfilled in 2014-2015 was about 93,000 tonnes lower than in the previous year but about 644,000 tonnes more than in 2011-2012.
- Construction and demolition waste recovered or recycled
The amount of construction and demolition waste recovered rose from about 949,000 tonnes in 2011-2012 to about 1,807,000 tonnes in 2014-2015.
- Commercial and industrial waste landfilled
The 1.518 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste landfilled in 2014-2015 was similar to the amounts reported in previous years.
- Commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled
The 1.069 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled in 2014-2015 was a decrease of about 241,000 tonnes on the amount reported in 2013-2014.
- Trackable waste landfilled
In 2014-2015, 63% of trackable waste (by waste amount) disposed to landfill in Queensland was in the high level waste category of ‘solid and sludge wastes requiring special handling’.
- Trackable waste recovered
In 2014-2015, 52% of the trackable waste (by waste amount) recovered (which includes recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative use of the waste) in Queensland was in the high level category of ‘putrescible and organic wastes’.
Pressure
- Interstate household waste received
In 2014-2015, about 45,000 tonnes of household waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
- Interstate construction and demolition waste received
About 259,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal in 2014-2015.
- Interstate commercial and industrial waste received
In 2014-2015, about 22,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
- Number of litter items in Queensland
The average number of litter items at urban sites in Queensland has been consistently higher than the average across Australia. There has been a gradual decline in the number of litter items and volume of litter recorded since 2005 in both Queensland and Australia.
- Number of litter items for different site types
The average number of litter items is higher in Queensland than Australia across all site types particularly shopping centres, retail strips and highways. Average litter items at shopping centres and highway sites in Queensland have increased in recent surveys, in contrast to the general decline in the number of litter items.
- Main material types littered
Cigarette butts are the most common type of litter although they make up only a very small fraction of the total volume of litter. Glass is the least prevalent litter type; there is a relatively high number and volume of plastic waste items.
- Illegal dumping in Queensland
Illegal dumping is defined in Queensland as the unlawful depositing of 200 litres or more of waste.
- Interstate trackable waste received
About 87% of the trackable waste received in Queensland from other Australian states and territories in 2014-2015 came from New South Wales.
Programs
| Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) | The Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) is a web-based system for operators to report on their waste data returns. The system has been enhanced to allow for the expanded capture of information about waste disposal and resource recovery. |
| State of Waste and Recycling in Queensland report | The State of Waste and Recycling in Queensland report includes information gathered each year through the Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) annual survey. It is a guide of the state of waste in that year and the results are assessed against the targets set in the Waste Strategy. |
Key findings—Litter and illegal dumping
State
- Household waste landfilled
The amount of domestic kerbside waste sent to landfill decreased from about 1.28 million tonnes in 2012-2013 to about 1.21 million tonnes in 2014-2015.
- Household waste recovered or recycled
Between 2010-2011 and 2014-2015 the amount of glass and plastic being sent for recycling by councils increased by about 6,500 tonnes and 6,900 tonnes respectively, although paper and cardboard recycling declined by about 24,000 tonnes.
- Per capita waste generation
Adjusting for population levels, the amounts of waste landfilled per capita in all regions were roughly comparable. In general the rates of disposal per capita were higher in remote Queensland.
- Construction and demolition waste landfilled
The 1,493,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste landfilled in 2014-2015 was about 93,000 tonnes lower than in the previous year but about 644,000 tonnes more than in 2011-2012.
- Construction and demolition waste recovered or recycled
The amount of construction and demolition waste recovered rose from about 949,000 tonnes in 2011-2012 to about 1,807,000 tonnes in 2014-2015.
- Commercial and industrial waste landfilled
The 1.518 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste landfilled in 2014-2015 was similar to the amounts reported in previous years.
- Commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled
The 1.069 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled in 2014-2015 was a decrease of about 241,000 tonnes on the amount reported in 2013-2014.
- Trackable waste landfilled
In 2014-2015, 63% of trackable waste (by waste amount) disposed to landfill in Queensland was in the high level waste category of ‘solid and sludge wastes requiring special handling’.
- Trackable waste recovered
In 2014-2015, 52% of the trackable waste (by waste amount) recovered (which includes recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative use of the waste) in Queensland was in the high level category of ‘putrescible and organic wastes’.
Pressure
- Interstate household waste received
In 2014-2015, about 45,000 tonnes of household waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
- Interstate construction and demolition waste received
About 259,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal in 2014-2015.
- Interstate commercial and industrial waste received
In 2014-2015, about 22,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
- Number of litter items in Queensland
The average number of litter items at urban sites in Queensland has been consistently higher than the average across Australia. There has been a gradual decline in the number of litter items and volume of litter recorded since 2005 in both Queensland and Australia.
- Number of litter items for different site types
The average number of litter items is higher in Queensland than Australia across all site types particularly shopping centres, retail strips and highways. Average litter items at shopping centres and highway sites in Queensland have increased in recent surveys, in contrast to the general decline in the number of litter items.
- Main material types littered
Cigarette butts are the most common type of litter although they make up only a very small fraction of the total volume of litter. Glass is the least prevalent litter type; there is a relatively high number and volume of plastic waste items.
- Illegal dumping in Queensland
Illegal dumping is defined in Queensland as the unlawful depositing of 200 litres or more of waste.
- Interstate trackable waste received
About 87% of the trackable waste received in Queensland from other Australian states and territories in 2014-2015 came from New South Wales.
Programs
| National Litter Index | The National Litter Index is an annual quantitative measure of what litter occurs where and in what volume. The initiative is run by Keep Australia Beautiful. |
| Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) | The Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) is a web-based system for operators to report on their waste data returns. The system has been enhanced to allow for the expanded capture of information about waste disposal and resource recovery. |
| State of Waste and Recycling in Queensland report | The State of Waste and Recycling in Queensland report includes information gathered each year through the Queensland Waste Data System (QWDS) annual survey. It is a guide of the state of waste in that year and the results are assessed against the targets set in the Waste Strategy. |
Key findings—Trackable waste
State
- Household waste landfilled
The amount of domestic kerbside waste sent to landfill decreased from about 1.28 million tonnes in 2012-2013 to about 1.21 million tonnes in 2014-2015.
- Household waste recovered or recycled
Between 2010-2011 and 2014-2015 the amount of glass and plastic being sent for recycling by councils increased by about 6,500 tonnes and 6,900 tonnes respectively, although paper and cardboard recycling declined by about 24,000 tonnes.
- Per capita waste generation
Adjusting for population levels, the amounts of waste landfilled per capita in all regions were roughly comparable. In general the rates of disposal per capita were higher in remote Queensland.
- Construction and demolition waste landfilled
The 1,493,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste landfilled in 2014-2015 was about 93,000 tonnes lower than in the previous year but about 644,000 tonnes more than in 2011-2012.
- Construction and demolition waste recovered or recycled
The amount of construction and demolition waste recovered rose from about 949,000 tonnes in 2011-2012 to about 1,807,000 tonnes in 2014-2015.
- Commercial and industrial waste landfilled
The 1.518 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste landfilled in 2014-2015 was similar to the amounts reported in previous years.
- Commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled
The 1.069 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled in 2014-2015 was a decrease of about 241,000 tonnes on the amount reported in 2013-2014.
- Trackable waste landfilled
In 2014-2015, 63% of trackable waste (by waste amount) disposed to landfill in Queensland was in the high level waste category of ‘solid and sludge wastes requiring special handling’.
- Trackable waste recovered
In 2014-2015, 52% of the trackable waste (by waste amount) recovered (which includes recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative use of the waste) in Queensland was in the high level category of ‘putrescible and organic wastes’.
Pressure
- Interstate household waste received
In 2014-2015, about 45,000 tonnes of household waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
- Interstate construction and demolition waste received
About 259,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal in 2014-2015.
- Interstate commercial and industrial waste received
In 2014-2015, about 22,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
- Number of litter items in Queensland
The average number of litter items at urban sites in Queensland has been consistently higher than the average across Australia. There has been a gradual decline in the number of litter items and volume of litter recorded since 2005 in both Queensland and Australia.
- Number of litter items for different site types
The average number of litter items is higher in Queensland than Australia across all site types particularly shopping centres, retail strips and highways. Average litter items at shopping centres and highway sites in Queensland have increased in recent surveys, in contrast to the general decline in the number of litter items.
- Main material types littered
Cigarette butts are the most common type of litter although they make up only a very small fraction of the total volume of litter. Glass is the least prevalent litter type; there is a relatively high number and volume of plastic waste items.
- Illegal dumping in Queensland
Illegal dumping is defined in Queensland as the unlawful depositing of 200 litres or more of waste.
- Interstate trackable waste received
About 87% of the trackable waste received in Queensland from other Australian states and territories in 2014-2015 came from New South Wales.
Programs
| Waste Tracking Database | The Waste Tracking Database is an internal departmental system capturing all trackable waste data required under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008. The data is provided to the department as commercial-in-confidence. Summary information is provided for inclusion into the State of Waste Report, State of Environment Report, the annual report for National Environmental Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories) Measure 1998 and the annual Basel Convention Report. |