Hyder Consulting were engaged by the Department of Environment and Conservation, on behalf of the Waste Authority, to review all recycling activity in Western Australia during 2011-12.  This report presents the findings of that review.

The report is based on a survey of businesses carrying out recycling activities.  Information was also gathered from existing industry surveys and export data.  The review included all materials recovered for recycling in WA as well as exported materials.  The report includes estimates of:

• Quantities of recycled materials
• Sector sources of recycled materials
• Geographic sources of recycled materials
• Statewide and metropolitan recovery rates

The report is available from this link.

Annual census of local governments in Western Australia on the waste and recycling services provided to households and commercial premises in 2011-12.

Report is available at this link.

A new international study conducted by the Waste Authority and the Environmental Protection Authority has found Waste to Energy plants can be introduced in Western Australia in an environmentally acceptable manner, but these state-of-the-art plants must meet internationally recognised standards for best practice, with community consultation essential.

In joint advice to the Minister for Environment, the review found a cautious approach to the introduction of waste to energy plants would provide another option in the long term solution to waste management in WA, without unacceptable environmental consequences.

See the reports and advice to the Minister here.