New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

New South Wales is Australia’s largest waste-generating state, producing 22.4 million tonnes of waste in 2024–25. During the same period, 15.0 million tonnes of waste were recycled, resulting in an overall recycling rate of 67%. The construction and demolition (C&D) sector generated 12.9 million tonnes of waste, with 80% recovered for recycling. The commercial and industrial (C&I) sector generated 4.8 million tonnes, achieving a 52% recycling rate, while the municipal solid waste (MSW) sector generated 4.7 million tonnes and achieved a 48% recycling rate. Based on the most recent available economic assessment, the waste and resource recovery sector contributed more than $5.31 billion to the NSW economy annually and employed over 14,500 people. WMRR represents more than 750 individual members from over 130 organisations across New South Wales.

The waste Levy in NSW for 2026-27 is $180.20 in metro areas, and $103.80 in regional areas.

WMRR STATE INITIATIVES

Clarifying the definition of waste (and when waste stops being a waste) under the respective NSW legislation to facilitate a workable definition that fits within the state’s resource recovery framework, and facilitating an understanding of material flows so that materials become part of the manufacturing environment to drive circularity.
Improve asbestos management, including testing and tolerances based on appropriate science-led standards in the NEPM, alongside developing a workable way to manage asbestos within the supply chain to provide certainty for the industry.
Advocate for a review of the supply chain, DAs, and waste classification (C&D and broadly) to streamline the movement of waste through tracking and reporting to ensure certainty of material flows. This includes beefing up DAs, making waste plans stronger, and developing proper linkages between the planning and environmental regimes.
Advocate for a strategic state infrastructure strategy that articulates where infrastructure is delivered and planned, site availability, streamlining, and forward planning of infrastructure delivery with government support

Resources

NSW Bulletin 323

22 September 2026

Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory generates 1.05 million tonnes of waste each year and achieves a 69% resource recovery rate. The sector contributes an estimated $207 million to the ACT economy and supports approximately 730 jobs. WMRR represents around 10 organisations operating across the territory.

For Information for the ACT’s waste levy, Visit ACT City Services.

Resources