NABERS Waste
Transforming a Commercial Portfolio from 3.5 Stars to 6 Stars
Knowwaste Pty Ltd partnered with a commercial property portfolio to improve waste performance across multiple office and mixed-use sites with the objective of significantly increasing its NABERS Waste ratings.
At project commencement, the portfolio held an average NABERS Waste rating of approximately 3.5 Stars, with several sites experiencing high landfill volumes, inconsistent recycling systems, contamination issues, and limited waste data visibility.
Over a multi-year engagement, Knowwaste worked closely with site teams, contractors, cleaners, and building management to systematically improve waste performance, ultimately assisting the portfolio in achieving ratings of up to 6 Stars across several assets.
Project Objectives
Improving portfolio-wide diversion performance
Increasing recycling and recovery rates
Reducing landfill disposal volumes
Improving waste data accuracy and transparency
Implementing site-specific operational improvements
Supporting NABERS Waste ratings and audit requirements
Initial Challenges
High reliance on landfill services
Limited source separation systems
Inconsistent signage across sites
Contamination in recycling streams
Poor visibility of waste generation data
Low engagement from tenants and cleaning contractors
Large waste generation from a small number of underperforming sites impacting portfolio averages
Strategy & Implementation
Introduction of dedicated recycling streams
Improved back-of-house waste infrastructure and signage
Waste contractor engagement and service optimisation
NABERS Waste contamination and density audits
Quarterly waste monitoring and performance reviews
Staff and cleaner education programs
Standardised reporting across all assets
Identification and inclusion of additional recyclable material streams, including secure paper and e-waste
Results & Portfolio Improvements
Portfolio NABERS Waste ratings improved from approximately 3.5 Stars to 6 Stars across leading assets
Portfolio diversion rates increased
Landfill waste generation reduced
Recycling contamination rates significantly reduced through targeted operational improvements
Site-specific waste data accuracy improved through ongoing density and composition auditing
Multiple assets achieved industry-leading diversion performance through dry waste recycling initiatives
Importantly, improvements were achieved across the broader portfolio rather than relying on a single high-performing site. Several previously underperforming assets recorded substantial increases in diversion and recovery performance following infrastructure and education upgrades.
Long-Term Outcomes
The project established a consistent, portfolio-wide waste management framework that enabled ongoing performance monitoring and continual improvement.
Greater confidence in waste reporting
Improved tenant engagement
Reduced contamination-related costs
Stronger ESG and sustainability outcomes
Improved NABERS Waste verification readiness
Why It Matters
Strong NABERS Waste performance requires more than simply increasing recycling volumes. Achieving high ratings depends on accurate waste data, effective source separation systems, contamination management, and ongoing operational engagement.
Knowwaste combines technical NABERS Waste expertise with practical on-the-ground implementation to help property portfolios achieve measurable and long-term waste performance improvements.