Plastic waste collected — formal

Estimated collection through municipal and other authorised services.

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Trend

Plastic waste collected formally

tonnes

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

Breakdown

Formal collection by plastic type

tonnes

Raw data

Public observations only. Provisional estimates are labelled; internal records and empty placeholders are excluded.

Block	Year	Category	Value	Units	Evidence	Source
Plastic waste collected formally	2015	Total	9,517.63	tonnes	modelledProvisional	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Plastic waste collected formally	2016	Total	9,739.19	tonnes	modelledProvisional	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Plastic waste collected formally	2017	Total	9,956.2	tonnes	modelledProvisional	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Plastic waste collected formally	2018	Total	10,165.05	tonnes	modelledProvisional	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Plastic waste collected formally	2019	Total	10,370.3	tonnes	modelledProvisional	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Plastic waste collected formally	2020	Total	10,847.95	tonnes	modelledProvisional	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Plastic waste collected formally	2021	Total	11,115.78	tonnes	modelledProvisional	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Plastic waste collected formally	2022	Total	11,402.12	tonnes	modelledProvisional	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Plastic waste collected formally	2023	Total	11,721.25	tonnes	modelledProvisional	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Plastic waste collected formally	2024	Total	12,047.91	tonnes	modelledProvisional	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2015	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	1,075.49	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2015	LDPE/LLDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	923.21	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2015	Other (specify)	2,769.63	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2015	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	2,312.78	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2015	PP (Polypropylene)	561.54	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2015	PS/EPS (Polystyrene)	1,808.35	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2015	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	66.62	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2015	Total	9,517.63	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2016	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	1,100.53	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2016	LDPE/LLDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	944.7	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2016	Other (specify)	2,834.1	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2016	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	2,366.62	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2016	PP (Polypropylene)	574.61	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2016	PS/EPS (Polystyrene)	1,850.45	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2016	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	68.17	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2016	Total	9,739.19	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2017	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	1,125.05	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2017	LDPE/LLDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	965.75	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2017	Other (specify)	2,897.25	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2017	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	2,419.36	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2017	PP (Polypropylene)	587.42	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2017	PS/EPS (Polystyrene)	1,891.68	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2017	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	69.69	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2017	Total	9,956.2	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2018	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	1,148.65	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2018	LDPE/LLDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	986.01	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2018	Other (specify)	2,958.03	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2018	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	2,470.11	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2018	PP (Polypropylene)	599.74	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2018	PS/EPS (Polystyrene)	1,931.36	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2018	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	71.16	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2018	Total	10,165.05	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2019	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	1,171.84	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2019	LDPE/LLDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	1,005.92	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2019	Other (specify)	3,017.76	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2019	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	2,519.98	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2019	PP (Polypropylene)	611.85	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2019	PS/EPS (Polystyrene)	1,970.36	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2019	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	72.59	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2019	Total	10,370.3	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2020	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	1,225.82	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2020	LDPE/LLDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	1,052.25	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2020	Other (specify)	3,156.75	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2020	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	2,636.05	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2020	PP (Polypropylene)	640.03	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2020	PS/EPS (Polystyrene)	2,061.11	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2020	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	75.94	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2020	Total	10,847.95	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2021	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	1,256.08	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2021	LDPE/LLDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	1,078.23	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2021	Other (specify)	3,234.69	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2021	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	2,701.13	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2021	PP (Polypropylene)	655.83	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2021	PS/EPS (Polystyrene)	2,112	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2021	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	77.81	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2021	Total	11,115.78	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2022	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	1,288.44	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2022	LDPE/LLDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	1,106.01	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2022	Other (specify)	3,318.02	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2022	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	2,770.71	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2022	PP (Polypropylene)	672.72	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2022	PS/EPS (Polystyrene)	2,166.4	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2022	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	79.81	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2022	Total	11,402.12	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2023	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	1,324.5	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2023	LDPE/LLDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	1,136.96	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2023	Other (specify)	3,410.88	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2023	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	2,848.26	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2023	PP (Polypropylene)	691.55	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2023	PS/EPS (Polystyrene)	2,227.04	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2023	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	82.05	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2023	Total	11,721.25	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2024	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	1,361.41	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2024	LDPE/LLDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	1,168.65	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2024	Other (specify)	3,505.94	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2024	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	2,927.64	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2024	PP (Polypropylene)	710.83	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2024	PS/EPS (Polystyrene)	2,289.1	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2024	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	84.34	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by plastic type	2024	Total	12,047.91	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2015	Commercial Organisations	5,722.7	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2015	Fisheries Organisations	49.46	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2015	Households	2,049.86	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2015	Tourism Organisations	1,695.62	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2015	Total	9,517.63	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2016	Commercial Organisations	5,855.92	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2016	Fisheries Organisations	50.61	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2016	Households	2,097.57	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2016	Tourism Organisations	1,735.09	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2016	Total	9,739.19	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2017	Commercial Organisations	5,986.4	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2017	Fisheries Organisations	51.73	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2017	Households	2,144.31	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2017	Tourism Organisations	1,773.75	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2017	Total	9,956.2	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2018	Commercial Organisations	6,111.98	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2018	Fisheries Organisations	52.82	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2018	Households	2,189.3	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2018	Tourism Organisations	1,810.96	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2018	Total	10,165.05	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2019	Commercial Organisations	6,235.39	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2019	Fisheries Organisations	53.89	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2019	Households	2,233.5	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2019	Tourism Organisations	1,847.52	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2019	Total	10,370.3	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2020	Commercial Organisations	6,522.59	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2020	Fisheries Organisations	56.37	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2020	Households	2,336.38	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2020	Tourism Organisations	1,932.62	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2020	Total	10,847.95	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2021	Commercial Organisations	6,683.63	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2021	Fisheries Organisations	57.76	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2021	Households	2,394.06	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2021	Tourism Organisations	1,980.33	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2021	Total	11,115.78	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2022	Commercial Organisations	6,855.79	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2022	Fisheries Organisations	59.25	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2022	Households	2,455.73	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2022	Tourism Organisations	2,031.35	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2022	Total	11,402.12	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2023	Commercial Organisations	7,047.68	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2023	Fisheries Organisations	60.91	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2023	Households	2,524.46	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2023	Tourism Organisations	2,088.2	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2023	Total	11,721.25	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2024	Commercial Organisations	7,244.09	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2024	Fisheries Organisations	62.6	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2024	Households	2,594.81	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2024	Tourism Organisations	2,146.4	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.
Formal collection by sector	2024	Total	12,047.91	tonnes	modelled	Formal plastic waste collection model MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Sector collection rates from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN are applied to modelled plastic waste generation.

Method and limitations

Plastic waste collected — formal · version 1

Plastic waste collected — formal

Formal collection means municipal or other authorised waste collection.

How it is produced

The inventory applies collection-rate assumptions from the 2017 FBOS Census and APWC/IUCN to modelled plastic waste generated by households, commerce, tourism and fisheries. Published plastic composition shares provide the material breakdown.

Read with care

The Census allowed more than one disposal answer and did not ask what share of waste used each pathway. Council truck, route and destination data should replace these estimates over time.