Data
Data on the rates of recovery and disposal of solid waste generated in the Perth Metropolitan Area between 1998 and 2008 are presented below. This data is produced by ongoing solid waste monitoring work undertaken by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Please read the associated disclaimer before using this data in any way. For more detailed information on collection cycles of recycling and faclities provided at a specific site, please email the Towards Zero Waste
What data is collected?
Data held by the Department of Environment and Conservation covers specific waste streams, individual components of waste and the tracking of certain wastes on route to disposal.
Data in the Solid Waste Database is collected primarily to help:
- monitor the landfill levy for waste disposed at metropolitan landfill sites
- develop policy and assess progress towards our goal of zero waste
- report to the Australian Waste Database.
How is it collected?
Reporting of waste data is a licence condition for all landfill sites in the Perth Metropolitan Region. Landfill operators quantify and categorise waste prior to disposal according to the National Waste Classification System.
Any waste generated in the metropolitan area and disposed of at a country landfill site is also reported.
Disposal Data
Tonnes disposed 1998 to 2004 (Perth)
Tonnes disposed by waste stream 1998 to 2004 (Perth)
Tonnes per capita disposed 1998 to 2004 (Perth)
Tonnes per capita disposed by waste stream 1998 to 2004 (Perth)
Tonnes disposed by landfill category July 1998 to Dec 2004 (Perth)
Tonnes disposed - a comparison by waste stream 2004 (Perth)
Recovery Data
Western Australian Government Agency Paper Recycling 09/10
Western Australian Government Agency Paper Recycling 08/09
Western Australian Government Agency Paper Recycling 07/08
Western Australian Government Agency Paper Recycling 06/07
Western Australian Government Agency Paper Recycling 05/06
Associated Reports
Review of Total Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2006/07
This is a detailed review of all recycling activities in Western Australia for the 2006/2007 financial year. The report covers all sectors including municipal, commercial and industrial and construction and demolition. The report utilises the methodology and classifications developed and applied in the 2005/2006 review enabling a direct comparison of annual recycling activity levels.
The Department of Environment and Conservation extends its thanks to all participants who provided the information used in the review.
Zero Waste Plan Development Scheme (ZWPDS) Phase 1 Report 2006-2007
The Zero Waste Plan Development Scheme (ZWPDS) is intended to assist local governments in Western Australia with the preparation of a Strategic Waste Management Plan (SWMP) in order to facilitate enhanced planning for waste management and recycling.
Phase 1 of the ZWPDS, which closed on 28 September 2007, consisted of an online survey to establish baseline characteristics for all local governments across the State.
The survey has been successful in capturing municipal waste and recycling data across the State of Western Australia, as well as assisting local governments in identifying where current data gaps exist. This will be incorporated into Phase 2 of the ZWPDS which involves the development of a SWMP.
Around 1 353 420 tonnes of municipal waste was generated in the 2006/07 financial year. This equates to approximately 692kg of waste produced annually for each Western Australian. Of this waste produced, over 1 015 210 tonnes (75%) was disposed of to landfill while 338 204 tonnes (25%) was diverted. Approximately 56% of material diverted from landfill is as a result of kerbside recycling collections.
See full report for more information.
Review of Total Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2005/06
This report summarises a detailed assessment of the amount of recycling carried out in Western Australia in the 2005/06 financial year. The report covers all sectors including municipal, commercial & industrial and construction & demolition. Details of the destination of the material sent for reprocessing and the total tonnages involved are presented. The report also includes, for each material, an illustration of the flow through the supply chain, and the barriers identified by relevant members of the industry to increased recycling in Western Australia. The Department of Environment and Conservation wishes to express its thanks to all of the people in government and industry that spent time providing the information gathered in this report, as there is currently no other way of evaluating recycling in Western Australia.
Review of Total Recycling Activity in Western Australia 2004/05
The Waste Management Board engaged Hyder Consulting Pty Ltd to conduct a survey of recycling activity in Western Australia over the 2004/05 financial year. This report presents the findings of the survey, and sets a baseline on the current quantities of materials being recycled in Western Australia. The Waste Management Board would like to thank the businesses and organisations who provided invaluable data and assistance toward production of this report.
Disposal Based Audits of the Commercial & Industrial and Construction & Demolition Waste Streams
The Department of Environment and Conservation appointed Waste Audit and Consultancy Services (Aust) Pty Ltd to undertake a series of Disposal Based Audits at selected licensed waste management facilities within the Perth Metropolitan Region. This research aimed to profile the C&I and C&D materials being disposed of to landfill/transfer stations to assist in confirming priorities for solid waste reduction and the diversion of solid waste from landfill disposal. DEC would like to thank the waste management facilities who participated in this study for their cooperation and patience during the auditing period.
Report for Waste Measurement Model (Text Only - 55KB)
The Department of Environment commissioned research to investigate the conversion of volumetric measurement at inert landfill sites into tonnages. This model will be used to convert the measurements in cubic metres from inert landfill (for payment of landfill levy) into the international standard of tonnages so that Western Australia can report on quantities of waste to landfill. The Waste Management Board would like to thank the landfill facilities mentioned in the report for their kind assistance with this research and for allowing us to conduct the investigations at their sites. All care has been exercised in undertaking the preparation of this report. Neither the Department nor the the Waste Management Board of WA accept liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of any use of the information contained in the report.
Report for Waste Measurement Model (Text and Aerial Photography - Large Document (16MB)
Summary Report of Waste to Landfill - Perth Metro Region 1998 - 2002
Provides an analysis of data in order to provide a general guide on total quantity and categorisation of waste landfilled in the Perth Metropolitan Region between July 1998 and June 2002.
Limitations in the Data
Although the National Waste Classification System covers individual waste types, loads of waste delivered to landfill sites are often made up of a range of materials. It is often difficult or impossible for a gate person to segregate and estimate tonnage for the major components of the waste. Such loads are usually registered as ‘mixed waste’.
Load mixing may influence disposal estimates for entire waste streams. This occurs when different waste streams are collected together in one vehicle, eg. in some cases commercial and industrial waste has been included in the municipal waste stream and vice-versa.
Although most landfill sites in the metropolitan area now operate weighbridges, sometimes it is not practical to weigh all loads. At putrescible sites (sites handling waste likely to become putrid), in these cases, a conversion factor is used. It is assumed that all car, trailer and utility loads of waste are 0.3 tonnes and of a standard volume. For inert landfills without weighbridges, the quantity of waste is measured in cubic metres and converted to tonnes using a ratio of 1.3 tonnes per cubic metre. This conversion factor is set out in the Landfill Levy Regulations Administrative Policy 1998, but a landfill density test carried out on one Perth landfill indicates that this figure may be higher than the real density achieved.
If you have any questions about this data please contact the Data Management Officer within the Waste Management Branch of the Department of Environment and Conservation by email or telephone (08) 6467 5317.
