The 2019 Audit examined some of the challenges faced by Australia's waste sector. They included:
• growing pressure due to population growth
• an unsustainable reliance on export solutions
• how inconsistent and unclear policy in the waste sector is deterring further investment in resource recovery solutions.27
The 2019 Audit focused on challenges around waste logistics, as well as inefficient waste services outside Australian cities. Waste is often transported large distances from where it is generated, adding to road congestion and degradation.28
A lack of scale and access in remote communities means waste freight volumes are inconsistent and local processing is often not cost-effective for consumers or taxpayers.29 As Australians generate more waste, locally relevant services in these areas will need to be developed to ensure community needs are being satisfied without imposing an unsustainable cost burden.
The 2019 Audit also noted that transporting waste can have a high impact on urban amenity, such as pollution, noise and road safety.
New technologies could make waste transport more efficient and environmentally friendly. For example, waste collection is well suited to zero-emission and autonomous vehicles.30