Lifecycle assessment (LCA) of kerbside recycling 2015
From 1 July 2022 Recycling Victoria, a dedicated business unit within the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, will provide strategic leadership for the waste and recycling sector. The data and reports on this page will migrate to Recycling Victoria in the coming months.
Sustainability Victoria commissioned RMIT University to undertake a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of kerbside recycling in Victoria. LCA is a scientific method that measures environmental impacts over the life cycle of a product, service or system.
The purpose of the study was to demonstrate the environmental benefits and impacts of kerbside recycling to help local government, business and households understand the importance of recycling not just in the use of materials but also in other environmental areas such as greenhouse gas reductions and water savings.
The project produced a calculator and a report – more information on each is below.
Report: Lifecycle assessment (LCA) of kerbside recycling
The LCA assesses the environmental benefits or burdens of recycling activity in Victoria.
Calculator: kerbside recycling in Victoria
This is the first time in Victoria that an LCA kerbside recycling calculator is available for the public to use. The calculator is an interactive tool that can determine the environmental benefits of recycling in terms of greenhouse gases, energy and water savings.
How to use the calculator
The 'kerbside' version requires users (for example, local government) to enter material streams (for example, aluminium cans) in tonnages and the 'household' version requires users (for example, individuals) to enter materials used on a weekly basis (for example, newspapers) and calculates an annual environmental benefit derived from recycling the products you put into your recycling bin. The calculator computes the environmental benefits for greenhouse gases, water and energy savings.
Why use the calculator
The kerbside calculator can assist councils and business to estimate the full environmental benefits of recycling. The calculations can also inform your own communications and reporting about kerbside collection services and the environmental benefits in an easily understandable way.
For householders the calculator demonstrates the benefits of recycling and enables you to see what is achievable through simple recycling habits.