Rethink waste for business

Approximately one third of all waste generated in Australia is business waste according to the most recent National Waste Report. It claims that business recycling enables Australian businesses to address their waste while also developing a competitive edge by improving business reputation and efficiency while reducing unnecessary costs. The key findings of the research were:

• 69% agree that recycling at work makes them happy
• 68% claim workplace recycling services improve perceptions of employer responsibility
• 62% claim that recycling at work is easy and convenient
• 43% of Australians claim there aren’t enough recycling options at work.

Council’s Rethink waste for business program aims to help businesses:

• set up best practice waste management
• reduce waste collection costs
• improve recycling
• reduce waste generation
• reuse and avoid waste where possible
• train and educate staff to help the business set up and maintain effective waste management
• implement a waste management action plan.

Register your business

Council's Rethink waste for business program is designed to work with your business. By registering your business will receive a site visit and presentation to your staff, online resources, an audit of your onsite waste and a dedicated action plan and recommendations for your business.

Register your business

Resources for your business

These guides can help you get your business started on your waste management journey.

• Waste management for business guide(PDF, 773KB)
• Working up the waste hierarchy fact sheet(PDF, 1MB)
• Reducing food waste in hospitality fact sheet(PDF, 1MB) 

Signage for workplace bins

Sign your workplace bins to clearly identify what materials are disposed in which bin. Make sure your bins are side by side and all have the correct signage to avoid confusion. Download these signs to get started:

• Recycling bin sign example(PDF, 324KB)
• What to feed your compost bin(PDF, 1MB)
• What to feed your worm farm(PDF, 2MB) 

Business waste calculator and report

Need to know how much waste your business generates weekly or annually?

Use the calculator for your current waste bins and collection services to generate a report and you will also be given strategies to focus on saving more resources from landfill and save on waste disposal costs.

Calculate business waste