Waste
You are viewing an archived copy of the 2017 report.
Key messages
Key findings—Household
State
- Household waste landfilled
The amount of domestic kerbside waste sent to landfill increased from about 1.21 million tonnes in 2014-2015 to about 1.26 million tonnes in 2016-2017.
- Household waste recovered or recycled
Between 2012–2013 and 2016–2017 the amounts of glass and plastic sent for recycling by councils increased by about 22,600t and 6,500t respectively, while the amount of steel cans sent for recycling declined by about 600t.
- Per capita waste generation
Adjusting for population levels, Queensland households generated an average of 556kg of waste per capita in 2016–2017, ranging from 390kg in the Cairns region to 680kg in Remote Queensland.
Pressure
- Interstate household waste received
In 2016–2017, about 53,000t of household waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland for disposal.
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. |
| Recycling and waste in Queensland report | The Recycling and waste 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
- Construction and demolition waste landfilled
The 2.146 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste landfilled in 2016–2017 was about 261,000t more than the amount landfilled in the previous year, and about 1.297 million tonnes more than in 2011–2012.
- Construction and demolition waste recovered or recycled
The amount of construction and demolition waste recovered increased by 133%, rising from about 949,000t in 2011–12 to about 2.212 million tonnes in 2016–2017.
Pressure
- Interstate construction and demolition waste received
About 640,000t of construction and demolition waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal in 2016–2017.
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. |
| Recycling and waste in Queensland report | The Recycling and waste 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
- Commercial and industrial waste landfilled
The 1.443 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste landfilled in 2016–2017 was similar to the amounts reported in previous years.
- Commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled
Between 2015–2016 and 2016–2017, the amount of commercial and industrial waste recovered or recycled increased by 1,500t (0.1%) to 1.319 million tonnes.
Pressure
- Interstate commercial and industrial waste received
In 2016–2017, about 23,000t of commercial and industrial waste generated interstate was transported to Queensland landfills for disposal.
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. |
| Recycling and waste in Queensland report | The Recycling and waste 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
Pressure
- 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 beaches, retail strips, highways and recreational areas. Average litter items at shopping centres in Queensland have decreased in recent surveys.
- Main material types littered
Cigarette butts, while contributing a very small fraction to litter volume, are the most common type of litter. Glass is the least prevalent litter type. Plastic waste items are high in number and volume.
- Illegal dumping in Queensland
Illegal dumping is defined in Queensland as the unlawful depositing of 200 litres or more of waste.
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. |
| Recycling and waste in Queensland report | The Recycling and waste 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
- Trackable waste landfilled
Solid and sludge wastes requiring special handling, categorised as high-level waste, made up 58% of trackable waste disposed to landfill in Queensland in 2015–2016.
- Trackable waste recovered
Putrescible and organic wastes made up 46% of trackable wastes recovered for recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative use in Queensland in 2015–2016.
Pressure
- Interstate trackable waste received
About 93% of the trackable waste received in Queensland from other Australian states and territories in 2015–2016 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. |