Uncollected waste — pathways to environment

Modelled direct discard to water, direct discard to land and open burning.

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Trend

Uncollected waste entering the environment

tonnes

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

Breakdown

Household environmental pathways

tonnes

Raw data

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

Block	Year	Category	Value	Units	Evidence	Source
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2015	Direct Discard to Land	590.95	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2015	Direct Discard to Water	331.19	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2015	Open Burning	1,785.64	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2015	Total	2,707.78	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2016	Direct Discard to Land	604.7	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2016	Direct Discard to Water	338.89	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2016	Open Burning	1,827.21	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2016	Total	2,770.81	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2017	Direct Discard to Land	618.18	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2017	Direct Discard to Water	346.45	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2017	Open Burning	1,867.93	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2017	Total	2,832.55	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2018	Direct Discard to Land	631.14	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2018	Direct Discard to Water	353.71	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2018	Open Burning	1,907.11	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2018	Total	2,891.97	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2019	Direct Discard to Land	643.89	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2019	Direct Discard to Water	360.86	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2019	Open Burning	1,945.62	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2019	Total	2,950.36	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2020	Direct Discard to Land	673.55	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2020	Direct Discard to Water	377.48	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2020	Open Burning	2,035.23	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2020	Total	3,086.25	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2021	Direct Discard to Land	690.18	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2021	Direct Discard to Water	386.8	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2021	Open Burning	2,085.48	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2021	Total	3,162.45	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2022	Direct Discard to Land	707.95	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2022	Direct Discard to Water	396.76	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2022	Open Burning	2,139.2	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2022	Total	3,243.91	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2023	Direct Discard to Land	727.77	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2023	Direct Discard to Water	407.86	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2023	Open Burning	2,199.07	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2023	Total	3,334.71	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2024	Direct Discard to Land	748.05	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2024	Direct Discard to Water	419.23	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2024	Open Burning	2,260.36	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Uncollected waste entering the environment	2024	Total	3,427.64	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2015	Direct Discard to Land	421.39	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2015	Direct Discard to Water	13.26	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2015	Open Burning	1,616.08	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2015	Total	2,050.73	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2016	Direct Discard to Land	431.19	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2016	Direct Discard to Water	13.57	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2016	Open Burning	1,653.7	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2016	Total	2,098.46	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2017	Direct Discard to Land	440.8	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2017	Direct Discard to Water	13.87	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2017	Open Burning	1,690.55	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2017	Total	2,145.22	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2018	Direct Discard to Land	450.05	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2018	Direct Discard to Water	14.16	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2018	Open Burning	1,726.01	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2018	Total	2,190.22	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2019	Direct Discard to Land	459.14	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2019	Direct Discard to Water	14.44	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2019	Open Burning	1,760.86	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2019	Total	2,234.45	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2020	Direct Discard to Land	480.28	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2020	Direct Discard to Water	15.11	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2020	Open Burning	1,841.97	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2020	Total	2,337.36	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2021	Direct Discard to Land	492.14	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2021	Direct Discard to Water	15.48	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2021	Open Burning	1,887.45	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2021	Total	2,395.07	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2022	Direct Discard to Land	504.82	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2022	Direct Discard to Water	15.88	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2022	Open Burning	1,936.07	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2022	Total	2,456.77	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2023	Direct Discard to Land	518.95	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2023	Direct Discard to Water	16.33	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2023	Open Burning	1,990.25	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2023	Total	2,525.53	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2024	Direct Discard to Land	533.41	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2024	Direct Discard to Water	16.78	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2024	Open Burning	2,045.72	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.
Household environmental pathways	2024	Total	2,595.91	tonnes	modelled	Inventory mass-balance calculation MECC / UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Provenance notes Derived from upstream inventory flows and documented assumptions.

Method and limitations

Uncollected waste — pathways to environment · version 1

Uncollected waste — pathways to environment

This page estimates plastic directly discarded to water, discarded on land or openly burned.

How it is produced

Household pathway rates come from the 2017 FBOS Census; other sector rates come from APWC/IUCN. Rates are multiplied by modelled plastic waste generated and checked against total uncollected waste.

Read with care

Multiple Census answers are treated as if each described all household waste, so overlap is possible. The figures are modelled and should not be added together with accidental leakage estimates as though they were independent measurements.