Why We Need More Waste Reduction In Australian Business

For many years, the public dialogue has centred on the reduction of carbon emissions as a way of slowing down the harmful effects of global warming but, when we look at the numbers, the question has to be asked: 

Have we dropped the ball on reducing the volume of waste that we produce – another huge contributor to climate change? 

At Integra Systems and Integra TransForm, we’re committed to integrating sustainability into everything we do, including hitting the UN’s SDGs and producing innovative products that can help others with their own sustainability endeavours, such as controlling and reducing workplace waste. 

Here’s why we’re so passionate about waste in the workplace (and why you should be to): 

Household and domestic waste

Statistics collected by the ABS over the past decade show, despite a widespread commitment to recycling, an alarming amount of waste is still going into landfill in Australia. Each year, we produce approximately 76 million tonnes of waste (an average of more than half a ton of waste per person, per year). Twenty-nine percent, or 22.6 million tonnes, of that waste ends up in landfill, while only half makes it into recycling transfer stations. 

Cool Australia cites figures showing the average Australian creates just over 2,000 kilograms of waste annually. Each household spends more than $1,200 on goods they never use, and a startling $600 worth of food is wasted by Australian households every year. They estimate, “between now and 2040, humans will consume as much as we have since we first stood on two legs.”

Around an average of 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste is created in Australia annually. The average Aussie household is responsible for around 47% of our total plastic waste figures, while the rest comes from industry.

Industrial waste

Industry is a major contributor in the growth of Australia’s waste output. According to the ABS, the manufacturing and construction sectors account for about 25.5 million tonnes – or 32 percent – of the total waste produced. Industry waste is now almost double the size of household or domestic waste. 

Australian manufacturing produces 12.8 million tonnes or 16.9 percent of our total waste, only narrowly edging out building and construction on 12.7 million tonnes — 16.8 percent of the total waste created. Electricity, gas and water services rank third overall, generating 10.9 million tonnes or 14.4 percent of our industrial waste figures.

The overall measurement of industrial waste output in Australia has seen an increase of 14 percent since 2016. This means – despite numerous awareness campaigns, industry initiatives and our best endeavours, –waste production is on the rise in Australia, not on the decline. 

Since 2016/2017, our total waste output has increased by 10 percent. Household waste and organic waste (plant or animal sources that are readily biodegradable such as food waste, biosolids, green waste and timber) have grown by five percent, while hazardous waste (waste oils, organic chemicals, contaminated earth, medical waste, asbestos, acids, reactive chemicals, pesticides and radioactive material) tonnage has increased by an alarming 23 percent in the last five years. 

The economic benefits of reducing industrial waste

A focus on further reducing waste and recycling has the potential to provide some impressive cost-savings to businesses, and to accommodate the sensibilities of a new generation of employees and customers.

In the 2018-19 financial year, the ABS valued total expenditure on waste collection, treatment and disposal services at $16,989 million. Manufacturing, construction and agriculture were forecast to spend a combined figure of almost $3 billion. 

By recycling more, businesses can reduce excess waste management and transport fees. And, while fewer trucks on our roads may not have a material impact on your company’s bottom-line, fewer trucks means fewer co2 emissions and a more sustainable environment. 

Reducing waste can also save a business having to pay landfill levies. With state government levies on landfill ranging between $146 per tonne (ACT) to $55 per tonne (Western Australia), a greater focus on recycling and sending less waste to landfill can pay dividends.

The role of the circular economy

While industrial waste numbers continue to rise, business leaders acknowledge that more has to be done to rein in waste output. Circularity – or the movement known as ‘the circular economy’ – is seen as having a major role to play in reducing industrial waste.

A December 2021 report published by the Australian Circular Economy Hub found that 92 percent of business decision-makers have heard of circular economy in some way, and are aware of the concept.  

“Most business leaders [recognise] the importance of transitioning away from our current take-make-use-dispose model,” they noted. “An overwhelming 88 percent of business decision makers agree the circular economy will be important for the future of their business, with 34 percent identifying the concept as extremely important” (this is a 13 percent increase from their 2020 survey finding on the same question).   

Conversely, while 81 percent of respondents said they ‘felt knowledgeable about the concept of the circular economy’, only 27 percent “were able to correctly identify the definition of circular economy when presented with a list of options.” As well as this, 40 percent of business decision-makers cited a “lack of information on how to implement circular economy practices”.

While acknowledging the importance of the circular economy as a tool for waste reduction and bolstering sustainability, the report’s findings clearly show that more work can be done to engage Australian industry on circularity. It also highlights the need to provide more resources for organisations looking to take their first steps into the circular economy space.

In conclusion

In September 2018, The World Bank predicted, based on current trends, global waste production would increase by as much as 70 percent by 2055 unless urgent action is taken. As the country’s main source of refuse, Australian industry needs to take the lead on waste reduction.

While contributing to sustainability, a focus on reducing the amount of waste produced also has important benefits for Australia’s long-term economic performance and any given organisation’s bottom-line. A greater focus on recycling and a transition to a circular economy are fantastic strategies for waste reduction that Australian businesses can no longer afford to ignore. 
Our Lune collection can provide you a sleek and sustainable solution to waste separation in your workplace. Click here for more information on our partnership with Lune and here to view the range of waste removal systems.

Want to reduce waste more in your business? Talk to us about what we’re doing, and email integratransform@integrasystems.com.au how we can help you.