Cleanaway Waste Management

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Australians are calling for a more circular approach to packaging. Our 2026 Recycling Behaviours Report shows strong community support for change, with Australians wanting a system where more resources are recovered, recycled and returned into new products. The findings highlight strong support for action: 📦 94% support a circular economy approach to packaging ♻️ 92% back national rules for recycled content in plastic packaging 🔄 89% believe stronger rules for manufacturers and brands can help reduce waste With Australia only achieving 20% of the target set in 2018, where 70% of plastic packaging was to be recycled or composted by 2025, there’s room for improvement in this space. Packaging reform is an important step in supporting investment in recycling infrastructure, creating demand for recycled materials and helping Australia move towards a stronger circular economy. Cleanaway looks forward to continue working with government, industry partners and manufacturers to support the development of practical solutions that can turn Australia’s circular economy ambitions into action. Read more insights from Cleanaway’s 2026 Recycling Behaviours Report

Australians want solutions for soft plastics recycling. Cleanaway’s 2026 Recycling Behaviours Report shows strong community support for change, with Australians looking for better ways to keep valuable resources in use. Together with Viva Energy, Cleanaway is progressing Cycleback Plastics, a proposed advanced recycling solution designed to help close the loop on soft plastics. With initial trials already showing great promise, the project aims to collect soft plastics at scale through Cleanaway’s network and convert them into materials that can support the production of new recycled plastic packaging. We’re also working alongside industry partners, including the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), to support the development of reliable, large-scale solutions. With the right policy settings, product stewardship and demand for recycled materials, we can continue building the infrastructure needed for a more circular future.

Australians are ready for better soft plastics recycling solutions. Now we need the systems to support them. The findings from our 2026 Recycling Behaviours Report show strong community support for action: ♻️ 93% support introducing a national kerbside collection service for soft plastics 🔄 94% would use a new soft plastics recycling scheme if available Cleanaway is a step ahead, and have been exploring how soft plastics recycling could work at scale. Through collection trials across several council areas, we’ve been testing how households can participate in a convenient soft plastics recycling solution – with great success! The opportunity now is turning community support into a scalable circular solution. Long-term success requires the right investment conditions, including policy certainty, product stewardship and demand for recycled materials to support the infrastructure needed at scale. By working together across the value chain, we can help create reliable pathways for materials that have traditionally been difficult to recycle. Read more insights from Cleanaway’s 2026 Recycling Behaviours Report.

Cleanaway launched our 2026 Recycling Behaviours Report in June 2026, sharing new insights into how Australians are thinking about recycling and the circular economy. Developed in partnership with Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), this year’s report highlights a nation ready to participate and opportunities to continue improving the systems that support them. A deeper look at the findings shows: 📦 Australians support more circular packaging solutions 91% want recycled content to be a requirement across all packaging. 🔄 Soft plastics remain a priority area 87% say Australia should prioritise a national soft plastics solution. 🌱 Access is key to unlocking FOGO participation 57% of Australians not using FOGO say lack of access to kerbside services is the main barrier. 🔋 Rechargeable devices are still challenging when it comes to getting disposal right 1 in 5 Australians would incorrectly place an electric toothbrush in the general rubbish, with items such as headphones also continuing to create confusion. The findings reinforce the importance of continued collaboration between communities, industry and government to support better recycling outcomes. Download the full report in the link below.