New NSW report highlights waste management improvement

New NSW report highlights waste management improvement

The New South Wales community is embracing recycling and cleaner energy technologies but the legacy of drought, bushfires and climate change has left a mark on the environment, according to the latest State of the Environment report.

Prepared every three years, the NSW State of the Environment reports on the status of key environmental issues facing New South Wales. The report is structured around six environmental themes: Drivers, Human Settlement, Climate and Air, Land, Biodiversity, Water and Marine

According to the report, the state has seen a drop in littering of 43 per cent over the past six years and 64 per cent of waste was diverted for recycling in 2019-20. Additionally, Greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 were 17 per cent lower than in 2005.

The NSW Government’s Waste Less, Recycle More program has also continued to be effective in managing waste, with new recycling facilities opening for problem wastes.

NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Acting Chief Executive Officer Jacqueleine Moore said keeping track of the changing data had never been more important.

“The latest instalment of this three-yearly report captures the impact of the devastating 2019-20 bushfires and the drought which damaged our native animal numbers, water quality and air quality, and topsoil,” Moore said.

“The State of the Environment covers 22 topics with data sourced from 11 different government bodies. It helps policy makers inform the right programs to target current and future environmental challenges.”

The future environmental challenges highlighted in the report include addressing the impacts of Sydney’s growing population on waste generation, water usage, natural resources and land clearing.

To view the report, click here.

 

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