Sydney Suburbs That Produce The Most Waste
Sydney's speedy urbanisation is further exacerbating the waste problem. Certain suburbs are projected to grow substantially in population in the next few years. However, the amount of waste produced, from school litter to construction and demolition waste, is also expected to rise much more than the population growth.
Why Do Some Sydney Suburbs Produce More Waste Than Others?
Different neighbourhoods in Sydney have different populations, which is reflected in the amount of waste they produce. Places with more people generally make more because more residents contribute daily.
Again, money plays a part; wealthier neighbourhoods are likely to purchase more items, which could result in more waste. For instance, more affluent areas typically have better services and products, meaning more people buy, resulting in more waste generation.
Population Density and Household Size
Different suburbs in Sydney have demographic features that significantly influence the waste production rate. Suburbs with a higher population density tend to generate more waste since more residents add to the total amount of waste produced daily.
Lifestyle and Consumption Habits
Socioeconomic factors, such as housing, employment, advanced education, and higher income, influence consumption. Wealthier suburbs generate more waste due to increased consumption.
In Sydney, commercial and industrial activities largely contribute to the waste generated. It makes a high percentage of contributions to the city's total waste.
Availability of Waste Disposal Facilities
Different ratios of processed waste compared to that deposited in landfills exist across suburbs with varying waste management and recycling programs. Since most materials are diverted from landfills, efficient recycling programs in suburbs with low per capita waste generation reflect such scenarios.
Lastly, good access to waste management services, including recycling centres, has a bearing on the percentage rate recorded by a region as it seeks to recycle waste. In this regard, these cities do not dispose of services offered sparsely. They thereby generate more such waste.
Suburbs in Sydney That Produce the Most Waste
There is an average household waste of approximately 11.9 kg per week, leading to Sydney producing over 3.5 million tonnes of waste yearly. On average, this generation of waste per person also comes to 1.1 tonnes per annum.
Top 5 Suburbs That Produce the Most Waste
1. LIVERPOOL
About 218,000 tonnes are produced in the suburbs of Sydney by Liverpool, making it one of the highest waste-generating suburbs in Australia. This huge figure represents the impact of rapid population growth and urban sprawl.
The population of Liverpool has always been growing continuously, now more than 250,000 residents. Consequently, the waste created by households, businesses, and construction sites also tends to increase.
The suburb experienced high levels of waste generated through urbanisation and commercial activities. Several factors contribute to very high waste generation in Liverpool, including population density, commercial activities, and construction and demolishing works.
2. BLACKTOWN
For 2020-2021, Blacktown was undoubtedly the state's leading producer of residual waste, with a figure of more than 110,000 tonnes. Such amounts of waste prove that this area's population and residential and commercial development are rising.
Presently, registered at over 450,000 people, the waste in Blacktown continues to increase along with the rising needs of both residential and commercial sectors. There are many determining factors for the state of realities that communicate to people in Blacktown's high waste-making walls, such as population growth, commercial activity, and urban development.
3. PARRAMATTA
Parramatta produces approximately 160,000 tonnes of waste yearly. This contribution to the Sydney waste management equation is indeed a significant one.
For 2018/19, the Council collected 78,911 tonnes from the domestic waste service, almost all of which was diverted from landfills by about 59%. The balance of material, a whopping 41%, continues to be taken to landfills where it cannot be reused, recycled or converted to energy.
In addition, the Council managed to collect 735 tonnes from illegal dumping sites. Most of this waste could have been disposed of through the Council's complimentary bulky collection service.
Such factors include population growth, growth in commerce, and continuous construction and urban development, making Parramatta a waste-producing location.
4. WAGGA WAGGA
Wagga Wagga produces about 50,000 tonnes of waste yearly, consisting of municipal solid waste (MSW), commercial and industrial (C&I) waste, and construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
About one-third of the waste going to landfills comes from commercial and industrial sources. The commercial environment of Wagga Wagga is quite different, but commercial waste auditing has indicated scope for diversion from landfill.
There are many programs within the city to promote recycling and sustainable activities, and there is still much room for improvement in community engagement and waste management infrastructures.
5. PENRITH
Penrith, with some 115,000 tonnes of waste at this rate, becomes a huge part of the total waste produced in Greater Sydney. All of this is driven by the increase in population, which has more than doubled to over 200,000 people now, not to mention the rapid expansion of commercial activity.
It is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Western Sydney. The report just said that more households and businesses have been affected by waste generation.
The amount of waste produced in Penrith is one of the most significant factors in determining waste generation, including domestic development, commercial growth, and construction and demolition activities.
What Type of Waste is Most Common in These Suburbs?
From the outset, Sydney's areas of waste production can be classified under categories such as municipal solid waste (MSW) from residential areas, commercial and industrial waste (C&I), and construction and demolition waste (C&D). Each of these categories uniquely gives a particular waste profile to the suburbs of Sydney.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) or Residential Waste
Among other categories of garbage, municipal solid waste is the major type of waste generated in the residential neighbourhoods of Sydney. The elements forming municipal solid waste mostly encompass these:
- Organic Waste: Food scraps and garden wastes fall in this category, constituting more than half of the household refuse.
- Recyclables: That includes materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals that could be processed for reuse.
- General Rubbish: This includes non-recyclable items in landfills, such as contaminated packaging and household goods.
Commercial and Industrial Waste (C&I)
Among the major classes of waste coming from the activities of businesses and industries in Sydney is C&I.
- Packaging Waste: This waste comprises cardboard, plastics, and other items used for packaging products.
- Food Waste: It includes a significant percentage of waste from commercial establishments, particularly restaurants and cafes.
- Office Waste: It comprises paper and electronic waste from various businesses for office materials.
Specific areas like the Smithfield-Wetherill Park Industrial Estate, Parramatta, or Greater Western Sydney are engaged in industrial areas and their by-products, influencing the economy and the environment.
Construction and Demolition Waste
They are said to derive from the demolition or renovation of old buildings and take place when building activities occur and may include:
- Bricks and Concrete: C&D wastes are mainly generated from demolition and construction.
- Wood and Metal: These are usually extracted from demolished or remodelled structures.
- Gypsum and Other Materials: Most construction uses and applies a large percentage to the total waste produced.
Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is usually considerable due to extensive construction activities in urban areas, and when well managed, it can achieve high recycling rates.
How Does Your Suburb Compare?
Suburb-by-Suburb Waste Analysis
Sydney has been generating large amounts of waste, including enormous municipal solid waste (MSW). For instance, recent findings indicate that in the years leading up to 2022, per capita waste generation ranged from 2.43 to 2.75 tonnes.
Fluctuations were mainly attributed to outside factors such as economic conditions and public health emergencies. As for an average household, it contributes about 11.9 kg of waste weekly, adding up to the whole city, which is a significant number.
A comprehensive strategy can be put together for education, community involvement, use of technology, and feedback systems. This would compel the residents of Sydney to evaluate their waste practices and compare them against the local average.
This initiative works toward equipping residents with the right tools and knowledge to analyse their waste behaviour, thus inspiring active participation in the wasting-generating activities, using appropriate knowledge related to environment awareness and an increased understanding of ways to improve practices.
The Environmental Impact of Excess Waste in Suburbs
Excessive waste generation in suburban areas raises major environmental concerns, adversely affecting local ecosystems, public health, and quality of life.
Impact on Local Wildlife and Waterways
Pollution and degradation of habitats can further push some species towards extinction, affecting the populations of flora and fauna within a locality and the environmental balance.
All landfills and unauthorised disposal sites generate leachates, which are released into their adjacent water bodies. Such polluted water threatens aquatic ecosystems and puts the health of communities that depend on these water sources at risk.
Source: Khan Renewable Energy Ltd.
Impact on Landfill Usage
The pressure on the current landfills results in the setting up of new sites, most often at the expense of green space and natural habitats. Again, establishing other landfills will disrupt local ecosystems and the habitats of various wildlife species.
Impact on Climate Change
Landfills are the most important sources of methane and carbon dioxide generation. These gases are primarily generated from the decay of organic materials, which also occurs from green waste. The generated methane is alarming as it is a potent greenhouse gas and worsens climate change.
What Can Sydney Suburbs Do to Reduce Waste?
One of the main problems caused by population growth and changes in consumer behaviour is increased waste. Here are ways Sydney suburbs can do their part to reduce littering.
Reduce Household Waste
Introducing days like 'Plastic-Free Days' or 'Months of No Plastic Challenge' can help residents reduce their plastic intake by banning single-use plastics and bringing out the challenges of such plastics. Involving local media could boost that participation from the community.
Increase Participation in Council Recycling Programs
Increased accessibility to drop-off and upgrading the infrastructure of recyclable bins will motivate residents to participate in the recycling endeavours of Clean Up Australia and local hard rubbish collection programmes. Promotion of these resources through outreach initiatives will give higher partaking numbers.
Source: City of Sydney
Encourage Community Clean-Up Days
Regular communal clean-up events could attract all residents to be involved in caring for their environment. These initiatives help get litter cleared away. All Gone Rubbish Removals support community events and help residents understand how waste affects the local ecosystems.
How Businesses Can Cut Down on Commercial Waste
Simple but effective waste minimisation strategies for the office, cafe, and retail environment, when adopted in businesses, can help cut down commercial waste to a great extent. By creating a sustainability culture and educating employees and customers, even more changes will be made towards less environmental hostility.
- Waste Assessment: Waste audits help a company identify the type and amount of waste produced over time. This means identifying waste as either recyclable, organic, or general waste.
- Training and Awareness Programs: Hold training workshops or sessions to train employees on recycling strategies, stressing the importance of recycling and the right procedure to use.
- Recycling Initiatives: Setting up composting engines is great for businesses like cafes and restaurants vis-a-vis organic materials and food waste. Employees must learn what can go into their compost system.
- Encourage Reusables: Encourage your customers to use reusable products, whether bags, containers, or utensils, by offering some incentives to customers who bring their items with them.
Conclusion
The increase in population and changing consumption patterns in Sydney make it imperative for local councils, residents, and businesses to know that the suburbs produce the most waste. In so doing, waste generation could be minimised and thus lessen reliance on landfills and their consequent effects on the natural environment.
Fast and Sustainable Rubbish Disposal
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