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Project waste reporting

Under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, we are required to report annually on the volumes of waste generated, reused, recycled and disposed to landfill and on progress contributing to the Queensland Government's waste reduction targets.

A significant part of our waste is generated from infrastructure construction and maintenance projects. Contractors are required to report on the waste generated from these projects. Reporting requirements are outlined in Technical Specifications MRTS51 Environmental Management (PDF, 542 KB). 

To help contractors and infrastructure designers to better plan project waste generation, management and diverting it from landfill, a waste estimate is required when:

  • the project is required to undergo a formal Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) rating; includes the assessment and management of waste and construction materials (when the infrastructure project over $100M). 
  • the project/contractor is required to generate a waste estimate under C7558 Terms of Reference for Review of Environmental 
    Factors    .

Read the Waste 2 Resource Strategy to find out how we plan on achieving our vision of becoming a zero waste organisation and transport industry sustainability leader through circular economy practices.

Waste 2 Resource calculator

The Waste 2 Resource calculator (XLSM, 1.08 MB) assists infrastructure projects to fulfil waste reporting requirements and to better plan, manage and reduce waste disposed to landfill. The Waste 2 Resource calculator was previously known as the Waste and Recycling Calculator.

The Waste 2 Resource calculator provides:

Waste estimate

Allows pre-constructions project teams to estimate the amount of waste that would be generated and how much can be reused, recycled or sent to landfill. This helps project teams identify opportunities for waste to be reused and recycled. 

Calculations are based on:

  • type of waste
  • project costs
  • project duration. 

Use of the calculator to generate a waste estimate is not mandatory, other formats may be used.

Actual data recording

Contractors are required to use the Waste 2 Resource calculator to record the actual amounts of waste generated and how must of that was reused, recycled or sent to landfill. It also has the ability to record the actual amounts of recycled material used on the project. 

The Waste 2 Resource calculator must be used to fulfil the waste reporting requirements under MRTS51 (PDF, 542 KB).

For information on how to use the calculator: 

Waste 2 Resource calculator submission

The completed Waste 2 Resource calculator file must be submitted to the department via email projectwasteregister@tmr.qld.gov.au.

The User is required to name the file according to:

  1. Contract ID
  2. Contract Name, and
  3. whether the file is an Estimate or an Actual data recording report.

For example:

Contract#_ContractName_Estimate
For example, CN45678_BloggsRoadUpgrade_Estimate

Tips for filling in the calculator

  • Select between Estimate or Actual and then answer the question "Is this project undertaking an ISC rating" in the INPUT tab. Currently only project over $100m are required to undertake an ISC/ISCA rating
  • Only select Estimate if you are using the calculator to calculate an estimate at the start of a project/contract. if you are using the calculator to generate an Actual data recording report, select Actual even if the values being entered are not exact amounts or were somewhat estimated. 
  • Reporting date is:
    • the date the estimate was generated for an Estimate calculation
    • the date of practical completion for the contract when using for Actual data recording, not the date the calculator is to be submitted. 

Waste Disposal Statement

The Waste Disposal Statement (PDF, 230 KB) is available to contractors to use when disposing waste generated from Transport and Main Road's infrastructure construction and maintenance projects. The purpose of the Waste Disposal Statement is to provide waste volume, waste source and waste category information to the Waste Disposal Site Operator. This statement will help disposal site operators determine the waste levy rates.

Who completes the waste estimate?
The project waste estimate should be completed by the person who has the best information on how the project will be carried out, what resources will be consumed and what options there are for waste management. This person can vary depending on the project and what other reports are required to be completed.

Is a waste estimate mandatory?
A project waste estimate is mandatory where a Review of Environmental Factors is required or if the project is required to undergo a formal ISC Rating. A waste estimate must be submitted to Transport and Main Roads via projectwasteregister@tmr.qld.gov.au.

Who completes the actual waste report?
The construction or maintenance Contractor completes the actual waste quantities in the Waste 2 Resource calculator and submits the record to Transport and Main Roads via projectwasteregister@tmr.qld.gov.au with a copy to the Contract Administrator at practical completion.

Are actual waste reports mandatory?
It is mandatory for contracts with MRTS51 Environmental Management specification to provide an actual waste report in the form of a completed Waste 2 Resource calculator prior to practical completion.

What if the estimate does not reflect my project?
The estimate is based on the departments previous waste reporting data. It is a generalised calculation to provide an indicative quantity of waste by stream. Projects are encouraged to review the calculated waste estimate to verify the quantities in relation to the scale and scope of the relevant project. Where a better estimate can be made or is available, the user should override the values in the ESTIMATE-output tab of the calculator and include a comment about why the value was overridden and what the new estimate was based on in the "Override Comment" field.

Can the calculator be used for annual routine maintenance contracts?
Yes, the Waste 2 Resource calculator may be used to estimate waste quantities for an annual Routine Maintenance Contract. For 2020–2021,  it is not mandatory for routine maintenance Contractors to estimate and report actual wastes to the department via the calculator.

Who completes the Waste Disposal Statement?
Contractors, Subcontractors and Waste Transport Operators can completed the Waste Disposal Statement when disposing waste at a waste disposal site facilities as per the provisions under the Queensland Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 (WRR Act).

Is use of the Waste Disposal Statement mandatory?
No, it is not mandatory to use the statement. Contractor's may have their own method for recording and advising Waste Disposal Site Operators of the content of the load transported to landfill.

Do I need to retain records of Waste Disposal Statements?
No, the purpose of the statement is to provide information to the Waste Disposal Site Operator and therefore, the completed form is passed to the operator when the waste is disposed.

Can use of the Waste Disposal Statement save money?
Potentially. Waste Disposal Operators charge gate fees dependent on the contents of the waste load. If a load contains exempt waste, documentation of this in the Waste Disposal Statement may assist the Waste Disposal Site Operator to apply a fee reduction, if applicable. This is at the discretion of the Waste Disposal Site Operator. 

Last updated
02 March 2022