When the campaign launched in 1996, kerbside recycling was becoming a familiar part of household life, but the range of materials collected was limited. Desktop computers were bulky, email was still finding its feet, and smartphones were yet to arrive. A lot has changed since then!

Australia’s recycling journey began well before National Recycling Week, with early recycling centres, bottle-return programs and community initiatives paving the way. Since then, local councils, not-for-profits, governments and industry have worked together to expand recycling services, introduce new collection programs and find better ways to recover valuable resources.

1970s: A little incentive goes a long way

As environmental awareness grew, Australia began exploring new ways to encourage people to recycle. South Australia introduced its container deposit scheme (the first of its kind nationwide) in 1977, offering a financial incentive to return eligible drink containers. Building on existing bottle collection and recycling efforts, the scheme helped establish a model for recovering valuable materials while tackling litter.

1980s: Recycling comes to the kerb

The 1980s saw kerbside recycling take off, with councils making it easier for households to recycle everyday items such as glass bottles, newspapers and cans. No longer did everything need to be taken to a local collection point. By 1989, around 61 per cent of Australian councils offered some form of kerbside recycling service. The humble recycling tub was becoming a familiar sight on Australian streets.

1990s: Recycling becomes part of the routine

The 1990s brought more convenient collections and a growing focus on keeping waste out of landfill. In 1992, the National Kerbside Recycling Strategy was developed, helping guide the expansion of household recycling. The following year, Concord Council in Sydney introduced a weekly garden organics collection, an important step towards turning garden waste into a useful resource rather than sending it to landfill.

In 1996, Planet Ark launched National Recycling Week, with a mission to educate and empower Australians to improve their recycling habits, reduce waste and embrace the waste hierarchy: reduce, reuse and recycle.

The momentum continued in 1999 with the National Packaging Covenant, which established a shared-responsibility approach between governments and industry to address packaging waste and improve recycling. The same year also saw the launch of an early mobile phone industry recycling program, helping pave the way for dedicated collection schemes for unwanted electronics.

2000s: Recycling goes beyond the yellow bin

As kerbside services expanded, councils also began offering more ways to recover materials that couldn't simply be placed in the recycling bin. Garden organics collections grew, while resource recovery centres provided options for items such as batteries, tyres, gas bottles and whitegoods.

Planet Ark continued to help Australians find practical ways to recycle, launching Cartridges 4 Planet Ark in 2003 to give used printer cartridges a dedicated recycling pathway.

Another major milestone arrived in 2009, when Penrith City Council introduced metropolitan Australia's first Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service . Food scraps could now join garden waste in the collection system, helping turn everyday leftovers into valuable compost.

2010s: Better labels, new schemes and a circular future

The 2010s saw recycling services continue to evolve. Councils expanded organics collections, while the familiar commingled recycling, general waste and organic bins system became increasingly common across Australian households.

In 2011, the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme was established, providing households and small businesses with access to recycling services for eligible televisions and computers.

Clearer recycling instructions were another important step forward. The Australasian Recycling Label (ARL), an initiative developed through collaboration between Planet Ark, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and industry partners including retailers, was introduced to help Australians understand how to dispose of packaging components correctly.

In 2018, Australia's National Packaging Targets set further ambitions for recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging and increased recycling of plastic packaging. The focus was shifting beyond collection alone towards better packaging design, improved recovery and stronger markets for recycled materials.

2020s: More ways to keep resources in circulation

Today, Australians have more ways to recycle than ever, from kerbside collections and FOGO to container deposit schemes and specialist e-waste programs.

Container deposit schemes have expanded across the country, rewarding people for returning eligible drink containers and helping recover materials for recycling. Meanwhile, councils continue to improve organics services, helping divert food scraps and garden waste from landfill. By June 2025, 77 per cent of Australians had access to a kerbside organics collection service, either for garden waste or combined food and garden organics.

There is also growing recognition that recycling is just one part of the bigger picture. Reducing consumption, reusing products, designing out waste and supporting products made from recycled materials are all essential to building a more circular economy.

2026: Celebrating 30 years and the people who make it happen

Thirty years after National Recycling Week began, Australia’s recycling landscape looks very different. From the first kerbside collections to today's growing network of recycling and resource recovery services, progress has been driven by the combined efforts of councils, communities, businesses, governments and individuals.

But there is still work to do. Knowing what goes where, reducing contamination, choosing reusable options and supporting products made from recycled materials all help keep valuable resources in circulation.

This National Recycling Week, we're celebrating three decades of progress and the people who have helped make it possible. Whether you're recycling at home, improving systems at work, supporting your local council or finding a new use for something old, every action helps.

Join the Cycle and be part of Australia's next chapter in recycling. Get involved at nationalrecyclingweek.com.au.