Reporting on waste from around NSW 

The Waste Performance Data for 2024–25 and the Local Government Waste Data Survey for 2024–25 provide a comprehensive picture of how New South Wales is managing waste disposal, recycling, and resource recovery. Together, these datasets track progress towards a circular economy and the objectives of the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy. They also highlight areas for improvement and inform planning in infrastructure and energy. 

Waste Performance Data 

The Waste and Resource Reporting Portal collects data from licensed waste facilities across the state and landfills in the Non-Levied Area. Facilities report on: 

• tonnes of waste coming in and out of the facility 
• the waste types and stream received and transported 
• source and destination of the waste.  

The data collected is used to compile the NSW Waste Performance Data. The EPA has been reporting this data annually since 2015.  

Key findings from the 2024–25 report are: 

• the NSW recycling rate was 67% 
• the amount of waste generated in NSW was 22.4 million tonnes 

• waste generated per capita was 2.61 tonnes. 

   

Local Government Waste Data Survey 

The Local Government Waste Data Survey collects information directly from local councils on Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) or waste generated by residents. It covers questions on kerbside services, tonnes, recycling and other items such as illegal dumping and disaster resilience. Since 2005, this survey has provided insights into waste management at the local government level, helping shape programs and initiatives. 

Key findings from the 2024–25 survey are: 

• 1,735,000 tonnes of the collected 4,184,000 tonnes of municipal waste was recycled 
• 42% of MSW was collected from kerbside garbage (red) bin services 
• 0.5 t of MSW generated per capita 
• 73% of councils offer an organic kerbside service. 

The data collected for the two datasets have different collection methods. The data are not directly comparable and have different levels of data quality. Please refer to the data quality statement accompanying each data set.