Recycling activity in South Australia 2009-10

Executive Summary - Resource Recovery & Diversion - 1. SA recycling industries reported 2.76 million tonnes of material were diverted to resource recovery during 2009–10 (Table 1 below and Figure 1 overleaf). 2. This 2009-10 value is an increase of 8.2% on the 2.56 million tonnes reported for 2008–09. The increase has occurred despite a year where international recycling markets and economic activity were still recovering from the global financial crisis. 3. An additional 380,000 tonnes of other material being recycled in South Australia (and not reported in previous years) was identified during the 2009-10 survey. This other material included meat and wine industry by-products and biosolids being recycled by regional and agricultural industries. 4. Whilst this other material has not been included in reported recycling activity for this year, this situation may change when new national guidelines1 for reporting of recycling activity are introduced. 5. During 2009-10, waste accepted by SA landfills decreased to 1.04 million tonnes (a drop of 3.5% from 2008-09). 6. These factors have combined to increase the diversion rate for South Australia to 72.7% (up from 70.4% in 2008-09) – the highest value recorded by this recycling activity survey since it commenced in 2003-04.