Municipal waste generated in New Zealand
New Zealand: Municipal waste generated was 3.51 million in 2023. ▲ Rising
Municipal waste generated in New Zealand, 2002–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for municipal waste generated in New Zealand is 3.51 million, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 2.5% on the previous year and up 30.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, municipal waste generated in New Zealand peaked at 3.71 million in 2018 and was at its lowest, 2.51 million, in 2011.
That places New Zealand 46th out of 80 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 18 years of available data.
Municipal waste generated in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 3.02 million | — |
| 2003 | 3.08 million | +1.8% |
| 2004 | 3.19 million | +3.6% |
| 2006 | 3.16 million | -0.9% |
| 2010 | 2.53 million | -19.8% |
| 2011 | 2.51 million | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 2.51 million | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 2.69 million | +6.8% |
| 2014 | 2.93 million | +9.2% |
| 2015 | 3.22 million | +9.9% |
| 2016 | 3.40 million | +5.7% |
| 2017 | 3.49 million | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 3.71 million | +6.0% |
| 2019 | 3.50 million | -5.5% |
| 2020 | 3.38 million | -3.3% |
| 2021 | 3.54 million | +4.6% |
| 2022 | 3.60 million | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 3.51 million | -2.5% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 3.51 million is below the median for high income countries, which is 4.12 million, 85% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- New Zealand's 3.51 million is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 13.71 million, 26% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3.11 million | 3.02 million | 3.19 million | 4 |
| 2010s | 3.05 million | 2.51 million | 3.71 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.51 million | 3.38 million | 3.60 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More environment data for New Zealand
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -0.2131 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 1.69 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.379 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.23 °C (2025)
- Wood-based panels — Production, annual growth rate 0.1365 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -0.474 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -0.9337 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is municipal waste generated in New Zealand?
- Municipal waste generated in New Zealand was 3.51 million in 2023, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest municipal waste generated recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 3.71 million in 2018.
- What is the lowest municipal waste generated recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.51 million in 2011.
- How does New Zealand rank for municipal waste generated?
- New Zealand ranks 46th out of 80 countries with data for 2023.
- Is municipal waste generated rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 30.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Municipal waste generated (Tonnes). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 18 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).