2021
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About the report
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment commissioned Blue Environment and partners to develop a national data and reporting standard for waste. This work builds on previous national data and reporting standards specific to hazardous waste. The national standard was developed over an eighteen month period, in consultation with state and territory governments, and with industry. It provides a common reference point for governments and others to guide voluntary data and reporting improvement efforts.
Nationally-consistent definitions, concepts and classifications (such as for materials and types of infrastructure) are covered by the standard. Based on the principles of both the waste hierarchy and circular economy, the standard also provides guidance on how emerging issues in waste (such as following the flow of material beyond the recycling centre and into their return to productive use) could be addressed in data and reporting. It is expected the standard will be updated over time.
The standard is accompanied by a set of model resource recovery survey questions, showing how the data and reporting standard might be used.