Australia Recovers Two-Thirds of Its Waste; Metals Lead at 90%

• Australia’s resource recovery rate has surged from 49% to 66% since 2006-07.
• Metals recorded an 89.9% recovery rate, the highest of any material category.
• South Australia (SA) achieved a 95.6% metal-recovery rate in 2022–23, leading the nation for more than a decade.
• New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) also post over 90% metals recovery rate.
• If all states matched SA, 344,603 additional tonnes of metal could be recovered.

Australia is quietly winning the recycling race, and metals are driving the victory.

New national data shows the country recovered 66% of its 75.6 million tonnes of waste in 2022-23. This is a big leap from under 50 percent in 2006-07.



This data comes from the National Waste and Resource Recovery Database 2024, released by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

As governments and builders are focused on circular-economy goals and recycled-content rules, this recovery milestone matters more than ever.

But one category stands out far above the rest.

Metals: Australia’s 90% Recycling Powerhouse

Metals are the undisputed leaders of Australia’s recycling story.

In 2022-23, nine in ten tonnes of metal waste were recovered, making metals the most successfully recovered material in the country.

This 90% recovery rate isn’t just a number. It represents a highly efficient industrial network, including scrap collectors, processors, mills, and manufacturers. Together, they form the backbone of Australia’s circular economy.

Why Metals Are Winning

The Australian Steel Institute says the reason behind metals being better than other materials because they can be recycled endlessly while maintaining their strength and quality. Unlike plastics or paper, steel doesn’t degrade with each cycle, it can be melted down and reused again and again without loss of performance. This makes metals inherently circular and highly efficient to recover. 

They have lasting economic value and achieve some of the highest recovery rates for any material. This is due to their strong commodity worth and well-established scrap markets (National Waste Report, 2022). In other words, metal recycling works because it makes both environmental and economic sense.

Where Recycling is Working — and Where It Isn’t

In 2022–23, metal recovery about  95% from Construction & Demolition and almost 93% from Commercial & Industrial streams. In contrast, it was 72% from Municipal Solid Waste. The gap shows cleaner, more focused material flows and strong scrap markets in the industry. In contrast, household metals are scattered and often contaminated. 

To improve municipal results, prioritize better source separation. Offer easy drop-off options for bulky metal. Also, ensure clear education for residents, backed by consistent pricing.

Regional Recovery Leaders: South Australia Sets the National Benchmark

When it comes to metal recovery, South Australia (SA) continues to lead.

The state hit a 95.6% metal recovery rate in 2022–23, followed closely by New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), both above 90%.

SA’s leadership isn’t new. Their metal recovery rate has remained strong for more than a decade. 

South Australia’s 95.6% metal-recovery rate comes down to consistency. The state has a strong waste policy. They have reliable local infrastructure and a circular-economy mindset. This approach treats scrap as a resource, not as waste (South Australia Waste Strategy 2020–2025, Government of South Australia, Green Industries SA, 2020).

Their Container Deposit Scheme started in 1977. It set up one of the best material-collection systems in the country. 86% of recovered materials are processed within South Australia. This is thanks to ongoing investment in local reprocessing facilities and strong landfill fees. This reinforces its status as the country's leader in recycling and resource recovery.

Most other states and territories have also improved or held steady, especially NSW, ACT, QLD and WA. Victoria’s metal-recovery rate is the only exception; it has trended downward across the last four reporting cycles.