The municipal waste treated in Australia experienced a notable decline from 12.53 million metric tons in 2013 to 11.16 million metric tons in 2023. While the early years showed slight growth, with year-on-year increases of up to 0.89%, the trend reversed in 2016 with a significant drop of -7.84%. This decline has continued to varying degrees, with minor fluctuations, resulting in a total drop of approximately -0.43% CAGR over the last five years leading up to 2023.
From 2024 onward, the forecasted data predicts a continuing downward trend, with municipal waste treated expected to decrease to 10.81 million metric tons by 2028. The forecasted five-year CAGR is anticipated to be -0.5%, emphasizing a steady reduction in waste treatment volumes.
Future trends to watch for include potential impacts of policy changes, technological advancements in recycling and waste management, and increasing public awareness regarding waste reduction practices. These factors could either mitigate or accelerate the declining trend observed in recent years.
