National Recycling Week returns from 10 to 16 November 2025, encouraging Australians to rethink how waste is created, managed and reused. Organised by Planet Ark Environmental Foundation, the campaign champions the waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse and recycle, urging individuals, workplaces, schools and councils to take practical steps toward a circular economy.
Why the week matters
When Planet Ark launched National Recycling Week in 1996, Australia’s recycling rate hovered around seven percent, equal to just 1.5 million tonnes of material. Nearly three decades later, the figure has risen to more than sixty percent, representing over 43 million tonnes recycled each year. Yet despite the progress, confusion still surrounds what can and cannot be recycled. Local council rules differ, bin contamination remains high, and many consumers are uncertain about the true impact of their actions.
Planet Ark continues to address these challenges through National Recycling Week, promoting recycling education and awareness across all sectors. The organisation’s goal is to build confidence in recycling systems, highlight products made from recycled materials, and remind people that every item correctly sorted saves valuable resources from landfill. The message is simple: recycling works when everyone plays their part.
How to get involved
At home, Australians can use the Recycling Near You website to check local recycling guidelines and download resources that help identify what belongs in the bin and what does not. Families can take part in activities such as craft projects, puzzles and games that teach children about waste reduction, or host a clothing swap to give unwanted garments new life.
Workplaces are also encouraged to take part. Businesses can register through the Recycling Near You at Work program and use Planet Ark’s free trivia packs, presentation templates and educational materials to engage staff. Offices may review their recycling systems by setting up proper collection points for batteries, soft plastics and electronics, or by hosting internal challenges that reward waste reduction.
Schools, community groups and councils also play a crucial role by using Planet Ark’s posters, event planning guides and social media materials to spread the message locally. The Schools Recycle Right Challenge offers lesson plans and waste audit tools designed to help students see the value of recycling in action.
National Recycling Week continues to remind Australians that recycling is not a once-a-year effort but an everyday choice that shapes a more sustainable future.
