Australia's size means landfills have remained a viable solution to waste disposal for longer than in more densely populated developed geographies such as Europe and Japan. During 2018-2019, Australia's core waste resource recovery rate was 63%.88
Australia can considerably increase landfill diversion by enabling market solutions through clear, enduring policy frameworks and by developing more resource recovery and recycling infrastructure.
There is already some progress. For example, South Australia recorded a landfill diversion rate of 85% in 2018-2019, setting the benchmark for other states and territories.89