Australia does not have a clear, comprehensive and coordinated national waste data strategy.
To reform the industry, there must be a common data strategy that supports clear action. It should outline the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and result in timely, relevant, comparable and consistent data.
If the strategy is developed and implemented correctly, governments and the waste industry will be able to:
• track and report waste from the point of generation to its final destination or use
• monitor progress against waste and recycling targets
• support and monitor the transition to a circular economy
• benchmark performance against national and sector standards and metrics
• explore new approaches to collecting and reporting data that embraces digital solutions83
• develop the use of non-weight-based measures (such as lifecycle analysis and net environmental benefit) to increase understanding of the economic, environmental and social impacts of waste84 and allow the assessment of problems and solutions in a locally relevant manner
• collect and report waste data that is reliable, relevant and up to date, and can be shared in an integrated, coherent and open format85
• identify which waste materials to track and the methods required to measure and monitor waste flow movement86
• develop intuitive and easily accessible standard data protocols for users, industry and governments
• monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of data gathering.87
A national waste data strategy will provide a common framework for advancing the long-term interests of users and taxpayers.
" Australia does not have a clear, comprehensive and coordinated national waste data strategy. "