OUR STANDARDS
Waste & Resource Collection Services
(WRCS Gen 3.1)
Status
Current
Issue Date
30 Sept. 2026
Recognised programs
Australia generated around 79 million tonnes of waste in 2024–25 — about 2.9 tonnes per person. While 67.5% of this waste was recovered, 25.7 million tonnes was still disposed of, with 22.8 million tonnes sent to landfill. Solid waste management also generated around 10.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in 2023–24, representing 2.3% of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Diverting waste from landfill is no longer enough. What matters is the quantity and quality of materials recovered, and transparency about where they ultimately end up.
The revised WRCS standard moves beyond landfill diversion. It focuses on the quality of recovery outcomes, accurate weight-based data, and transparency across downstream pathways. It was developed in consultation with green building schemes, the waste and resource recovery industry, state regulators and waste generators, and applies nationally.
Through certification, collection service providers can show:
Accurate, verifiable and transparent waste reporting
Responsible downstream management
Support for waste generators to improve resource recovery and recycling
Compliance with legal, environmental and social obligations
Quality-assured services in line with circular economy goals
We want to acknowledge the funding and support for the original development of this standard, including NSW OEH, City of Sydney and the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA), a NSW EPA Waste Less Recycle More Initiative funded from the Waste Levy.
The standard sets requirements that aim to provide a benefit by:
Requiring policies and procedures that demonstrate a commitment to best practice waste and resource management, supporting better resource recovery and recycling outcomes
Requiring that waste collection and transport vehicles shall be regularly maintained to ensure efficient fuel use
Requiring that waste and resource collection and transport vehicles are regularly maintained to ensure efficient fuel use
Encouraging collaborative relationships between waste and resource generators, the contracted collection service provider, property cleaners, facilities managers and other relevant stakeholders
Ensuring that collection and resource recovery performance reviews and performance assessments are conducted at least annually
Improving the accuracy and transparency of waste data through weight-based measurement and clear separation of actual and estimated weights
Increasing transparency of where collected materials go, including selecting lawfully operating downstream facilities and reporting energy recovery separately from recycling
Strengthening hazard and accident controls, including fire prevention and emergency response
Ensuring workers and suppliers through the supply chain can expect fair pay, equal opportunities and a safe working environment
The scope of this standard applies to, but is not limited to, the following waste materials:
✔︎ General waste (wet and dry)
✔︎ Municipal solid waste
✔︎ Commercial and industrial waste
✔︎ Mixed or co-mingled recycling (cardboard / paper / hard plastics / metals / glass)
✔︎ Source-separated paper and cardboard
✔︎ Plastics (including soft plastics)
✔︎ Glass
✔︎ Metals (ferrous and non-ferrous)
✔︎ Organics (e.g. food and garden organics)
✔︎ Secure paper and document destruction
✔︎ Oils (including used cooking oils)
✔︎ Tyres
✔︎ Electronic and electrical products (e-waste)
✔︎ Batteries
✔︎ Textiles and clothing
✔︎ Furniture and furnishings
✔︎ Paints
Other waste streams may be considered for certification, provided collection and delivery to a lawful downstream facility meet the requirements of this standard. Hazardous waste is excluded. For construction and demolition waste, see GECA's Construction & Demolition Waste Services Standard.