Sustainability
3 min read
By Pedro Carreira
Updated 25 June 2026
Waste diversion rate = (total waste recycled or composted / total waste generated) x 100.
To measure: track the weight or volume of each waste stream (general, recycling, organics, cardboard) over 3-6 months using provider reports or weighbridge tickets. Most Melbourne businesses start at 20-30% diversion and can reach 60-80% with proper stream separation.
Bundle Waste provides monthly diversion reports for all clients.
Key Numbers
- Typical starting diversion for Melbourne businesses: 20–30%
- Achievable diversion with proper stream separation: 60–80%
- Statewide diversion target by 2030: 80%
- Tracking window for a reliable baseline: 3–6 months
What You Need to Know
Your diversion rate is only as honest as the data behind it. The formula is simple — recycled-or-composted weight divided by total weight — but the inputs decide whether the number stands up in a tender. Pull figures from provider reports or weighbridge tickets across a 3–6 month window so seasonal swings don't flatter or punish you.
| Stream | How to capture it |
|---|
| General waste | Bin lifts × size, or weighbridge |
| Commingled recycling | Provider monthly report |
| Organics | Dedicated bin weight |
| Cardboard | Compactor or bale count |
The same baseline is what Recycling Victoria — A New Economy leans on with its 80%-by-2030 diversion target. Bundle Waste sets that baseline for you through a free invoice and waste audit, benchmarks it against a network of providers, and — being paid only from the savings we find — has every reason to push your diversion higher.
Related Resources
Related Questions
How does waste affect my business's carbon footprint?+
Waste sent to landfill generates methane — a greenhouse gas 28x more potent than CO2. Each tonne of general waste landfilled produces approximately 1.1-1.3 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions. Recycling 1 tonne of cardboard saves 1.4 tonnes CO2e; composting 1 tonne of food waste avoids 0.5 tonnes CO2e vs landfill. For a business generating 5 tonnes/month of waste, improving diversion from 20% to 60% can reduce carbon emissions by 2-3 tonnes CO2e per month.
What are Victoria's recycling targets for businesses?+
Victoria's Recycling Victoria policy targets: 80% waste diversion from landfill by 2030, 100% of organics recovered from all sources by 2030, and all packaging to be recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025. While these are government targets (not mandatory per-business), many large clients, councils, and procurement processes now require suppliers to demonstrate 50-70% diversion rates. Having audited waste data gives you a competitive advantage.
What is the circular economy and how does it apply to waste?+
The circular economy is a model where materials are kept in use as long as possible through reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling — instead of the linear 'take-make-dispose' model. For businesses, this means: choosing suppliers with take-back schemes, selecting recyclable packaging, composting food waste, donating usable items, and buying recycled-content products. Circular practices can reduce waste costs by up to 40% and improve ESG reporting scores.
What is sustainability reporting and do I need to do it?+
Sustainability reporting involves publicly disclosing your environmental impact, including waste data. It is mandatory for ASX-listed companies and large businesses under the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (from 2025-26 for Group 1 entities). SMEs are not yet required to report, but many clients and procurement processes now demand waste data from suppliers. Having accurate waste diversion data gives you a competitive edge in tenders and client retention.
What are scope 3 emissions from waste and why do they matter?+
Scope 3 emissions include all indirect emissions in your value chain — waste disposal falls under Scope 3 Category 5 (waste generated in operations). For most businesses, waste accounts for 2-8% of total scope 3 emissions. Under Australia's new climate reporting requirements, large businesses must disclose scope 3 emissions from 2027-28. Even if you are an SME, your corporate clients may ask for your waste data to calculate their own scope 3. Having audited data ready is a competitive advantage.
See exactly what you are overpaying
Bundle Waste reviews your current waste invoices and benchmarks them against a network of Melbourne providers — free, with a written report in 5 business days. You will see what you pay now, where the hidden charges are, and the rate we can negotiate. You only pay from the savings we find: no savings, no fee.
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Updated 25 June 2026
