Following six months of consultation with more than 100 industry stakeholders, the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) has updated its waste rating tool.
NABERS says that the updates include a revised approach to dry waste, a stronger emphasis on higher-quality recycling outcomes rather than just quantities recycled, the introduction of a Material Circularity Indicator and enhanced reporting structures.
“These updates make NABERS Waste a more accurate reflection of real recycling outcomes, helping drive better circular economy performance across buildings,” NABERS acting director Magali Wardle says.
Energy from waste plays an important role in calculating waste ratings, but it’s not the same as recycling materials back into use.
The new rating system will now treat dry waste differently. Dry general waste will no longer be categorised as recycling and will sit between landfill and recycling in the waste hierarchy. It remains a better outcome than landfill, but the rating now reflects that difference.
Also, the latest update places greater emphasis on the quality of recycling and recovery, not just on the total amount diverted. This means more recognition for high-quality recycling and recovery.
The Material Circularity Indicator is a new addition to the certificate. The Indicator is a percentage value that considers the circularity of recovery processes, the traceability of the value chain and the quality of associated data.
As for enhanced reporting, the updates now embed circularity metrics in reports and certificates. Rated buildings will receive an enhanced report that aligns to the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). It also provides clearer insights into what circular waste outcomes really comprise, not just how much is diverted.
NABERS says that it hopes the updates encourage better on-site waste separation and support stronger circular economy practices across the built environment among facility owners and building managers.
NABERS adds that the update will apply to all NABERS Waste ratings with rating periods starting 1 July 2025.
Read: Major NABERS energy rating update scheduled for 2030
