The quality and potential of each material stream and its sub-streams varies. Read more about products from recycled feedstock in Growth opportunities.
Material stream recycling rates, by stream
This figure shows various waste streams and the proportion of each waste stream that is recycled and non-recycled. This table provides the numbers that the chart is based on, with materials appearing in the chart from left to right.
|
Material |
Proportion recycled |
Proportion non-recycled |
|---|---|---|
|
Batteries |
2% |
98% |
|
Textiles |
7% |
93% |
|
E-waste |
9% |
91% |
|
Plastics |
13% |
87% |
|
Tyres |
35% |
65% |
|
Organics |
49% |
51% |
|
Glass |
59% |
41% |
|
Paper |
60% |
40% |
|
Construction & Demolition |
76% |
24% |
|
Metals |
90% |
10% |
The materials from Batteries to Plastics have been categorized as ‘significant untapped value’.
The materials from Plastics to Paper have been categorized as ‘National Waste Policy and Waste Export Ban driving new domestic investment’.
The materials from Paper to C&D have been described as ‘Well established recycling process, with mature markets for secondary materials’.
There is a table under this chart that provides the corresponding volume generated in 2018-19 for each material stream, as well as potential products that can be made out of these materials.
|
Material |
Volume generated |
Potential products |
|---|---|---|
|
Batteries |
3.3 kt |
|
|
Textiles |
780 kt |
|
|
E-waste |
554 kt |
|
|
Plastics |
2540 kt |
|
|
Tyres |
4490 kt |
|
|
Organics |
14300 kt |
|
|
Glass |
1160 kt |
|
|
Paper |
5920 kt |
|
|
Construction & Demolition |
27000 kt |
|
|
Metals |
5600 kt |
|
Plastics recycling rates, by stream
This figure shows the various plastic types and the proportion of each type that is recycled and non-recycled. This table provides the numbers that the chart is based on, with plastic types appearing in the chart from left to right.
|
Plastic type |
Proportion recycled |
Proportion non-recycled |
|---|---|---|
|
PVC |
2% |
98% |
|
PP |
9% |
91% |
|
PS |
12% |
88% |
|
LDPE |
17% |
83% |
|
HDPE |
20% |
80% |
|
PET |
21% |
79% |
There is a table under the chart that lists some potential products that can be made out of these plastic types.
|
Plastic type |
Potential products |
|---|---|
|
PVC |
Pipe fittings, window fittings |
|
PP |
Clothing fibres, food containers |
|
PS |
Limited packaging use |
|
LDPE |
Bin liners, plastic furniture |
|
HDPE |
Milk bottles, garden furniture |
|
PET |
Drink bottles, textiles |
This table also includes two rows that outlines further products that can be made from plastic in general such as:
- industrial products including outdoor furniture, bollards, fence posts, decking boards, railway sleepers, and pellets which can be used for packaging
If plastics are processed via chemical/feedstock recycling, post-consumer plastic can be used as a direct substitute to virgin plastic.