This page provides historical trends of greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector. It features an interactive dashboard displaying the data, outlines the policies targeted at reducing emissions of these gases, and examines the projected impact of these policies on methane emissions.
Waste sector emissions data is sourced from the dedicated waste chapter (chapter 7) of Te Rārangi Haurehu Kati Mahana a Aotearoa, New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Inventory, 1990-2021 (the inventory). The inventory is the official annual estimate of all human-induced emissions and removals of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in New Zealand. The inventory provides the official basis for measuring New Zealand’s progress under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and for tracking its performance in achieving emissions reduction targets.
Visit the greenhouse gas emissions targets and reporting page for more information.
The waste sector emissions dashboard presents data from chapter 7 of the inventory covering the period from 1990-2021. The inventory is updated annually and reports data with a two-year lag. See chapter 7 of Te Rārangi Haurehu Kati Mahana a Aotearoa, New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Inventory, 1990-2021.
To expand the dashboard, click the arrow icon at the bottom right of the window.
In 2021, emissions from managed fills, unmanaged fills and farm dumps contributed about three quarters of total waste sector emissions. A range of other sources including composting, open burning and incineration made smaller methane contributions.
The rise and fall in historical ‘managed landfill’ emissions was largely driven by the growing tonnages of organic waste being disposed at municipal landfills. This was followed by the implementation of gas capture requirements for larger municipal landfills in 2004.
Since 2004, improvements in waste management and landfill gas capture at municipal landfills have resulted in a significant reduction of waste sector emissions.
In 2021, waste sector emissions were 18.5 per cent below 1990 levels. This highlights the positive impact of regulation of a significant proportion of municipal landfills in New Zealand.
The reduction of emissions from the waste sector is attributed to a number of initiatives implemented to improve solid waste management practices in New Zealand.
These initiatives include:
In 2021, 91.9 per cent of waste emissions were biogenic methane – largely generated by the decomposition of organic waste (such as food, garden, wood and paper waste). While waste contributes a small percentage of our total emissions, biogenic methane has a warming effect 25 times greater than carbon dioxide.
Current measures will not be enough to meet the ambitious target recommended by the Climate Change Commission of a 40 per cent reduction in waste biogenic methane emissions by 2035. However, the New Zealand waste management sector is well placed to transition to a low emissions economy over the next decades.
Significant reductions in biogenic methane emissions generated from organic waste are possible with solutions that are well proven. For example, New Zealand is one of many countries that have established, or are in the process of adopting, processing technologies for food waste.
See Improving household recycling and food scrap collections for more information.
The following graph shows that the cumulative impact of waste policies from the emissions reduction plan come close to meeting the first waste sector sub-target (2022–2025). This scenario also indicates that greater emissions reductions will be required from 2026–2035 to meet subsequent emissions budgets.
While this ambitious target is technically feasible, we must act quickly to meet emissions budgets set by the Government for 2022-2025.
See the waste chapter of the emissions reduction plan for more information.
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If you have any questions, please email the National Waste Data Reporting team at nwdrp@mfe.govt.nz.