Household Waste Generation

Indicator Rationale

Household waste generation is closely linked to Victorian household consumption patterns and is a clear measure of the State's progress towards the sustainable use of resources (EcoRecycle Victoria 2005).  Waste disposal is an indicator of the volume of resources being consumed, and the inefficiencies in resource use.  Waste to landfill generates offensive odours, greenhouse gases, and may contribute to surface and ground water pollution (Davidson, 2005).  Recycling measures the extent to which materials are being diverted from landfill, and is indicative of the community’s commitment to sustainable practices.  Recycling saves landfill space and recycled products conserve resources and minimise energy use.  Whilst recycling is important, it is imperative that total waste stream be minimised.  

Data Source 

Sustainability Victoria, Victorian Local Government Data Collection.  Data have been accessed for 2005-06, 2004-05 and 2003-04.

The survey is a complete enumeration of Victoria's 79 local governments, and is completed on-line by each local government.  Being a complete enumeration, the survey results are not subject to sampling variability.  While Sustainability Victoria has identified and corrected a significant number of anomalies by verifying information provided in the data collection returns, the findings from the survey are subject to the accuracy of data provided by the individual local governments.

At a regional level, Sustainability Victoria publishes data for Regional Waste Management Group areas.  These areas are not the same as the eight Victorian Government regions, and therefore no regional data for this indicator are available on the CIV website.

Measure

Non-Recyclable Garbage Generated by Households: expressed as an average volume (kilograms) per household.

For each local council, the measure is derived by Sustainability Victoria as the reported volume collected (tonnes) divided by the reported number of households serviced.

Notes:

(i) The data relate to waste collected through kerbside services only.  Waste disposed of at drop-off facilities and waste collected by private contractors outside the local government kerbside system are not included.

(ii) Reported number of households serviced may also include commercial and industrial properties.  Local governments are requested to exclude these properties, but only if the related costs and tonnes can also be excluded (which is often not the case).

References

Davidson, S. (2005).  Closing the loop? A review of recycling in Australia.  Ecos 125:24-28.

EcoRecycle Victoria (2005).  Towards Zero Waste.  Local Government Data Collection Survey, 2003-04.

State Government of Victoria (2005).  Towards Zero Waste Strategy.