Skip to Content
 Close search

Waste generation and resource efficiency

Public inquiry

This inquiry has concluded. The inquiry report was released by the Australian Government on 19 December 2006.

The inquiry was to cover resources associated with solid waste, including municipal waste, commercial and industrial waste, and construction and demolition wastes. It did not cover wastes that exhibit hazardous characteristics and pose an immediate and unacceptable risk of harm to human beings or the environment.

The objective of the inquiry was to identify policies that will address market failures associated with the generation and disposal of waste, including opportunities throughout the product life cycle. The inquiry included consideration of:

  • economic, environmental and social benefits and costs
  • factors that impede optimal resource efficiency and recovery, and waste management
  • the adequacy of current data on material flows and relevant economic activity
  • the impact of international trade and trade agreements
  • strategies that could be adopted by government and industry to encourage optimal resource efficiency and recovery.

The Commission was also been asked to examine performance indicators, government and commercial procurement practices, and the impacts of government support to production and recovery industries.

You may also be interested in

Media release: Productivity Commission to examine Waste and Resource Efficiency

Draft report

The draft report for this project is not available online.

Please note: The draft report is for research purposes only. For final outcomes of this inquiry refer to the inquiry report.

Request a draft report

Key documents