Waste management practices in Australia: Comparison of strategies

Waste management is a process of systematically collecting, segregating, transporting, reprocessing and disposing of waste according to the waste management hierarchy. Effective and efficient waste management practices are necessary for optimum resource recovery and sustainable outcomes. This is facilitated by the waste management strategies established by the government and regulatory bodies in a country. The waste management practices in Australian states/territories are governed by different strategies, policies, regulations and guidelines established by the state governments. However, there is a deficiency of knowledge on inter-state analysis of the waste management strategies to reveal the synergies between waste management practices in Australia. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate the synergies between waste management practices adopted by different states/territories, their operations, infrastructure and stakeholders, based on the waste management hierarchy. To accomplish this aim, a systematic document review of strategies, policies, standards, and other documents in each state was undertaken using a systematic approach. The review developed a waste management process mapping based on the waste management hierarchy, which is a solid framework in line with the infrastructure facilities and stakeholders. The process needs to be stimulated by approaches like integration, collaboration, management, regulation, documentation and information, which have the potential to mitigate the impediments and govern the existing practices towards sustainability. The study encourages the adoption of zero waste and waste-to-energy concepts, which are strengthened by integrated infrastructure, changed levy applications, the proximity principle and up-to-date regulations and policies with the collaboration and community engagement to develop a sustainable Australia.