WA waste champions celebrated at 2026 WasteSorted Awards

  • WasteSorted Awards showcase outstanding waste avoidance, resource recovery and circular economy initiatives
  • Winners announced across 10 categories recognising practical leadership in action
  • Total Green Recycling honoured for almost two decades of work in e-waste recycling
  • Supporting the Cook Labor Government’s transition to a sustainable, low-waste circular economy where landfill is the last resort

Western Australia’s waste leaders have been honoured at the 2026 WasteSorted Awards for initiatives supporting the State’s transition to a circular economy.

The awards recognise the people who see opportunity where others see waste. They celebrate the achievements of individuals, schools, businesses, community groups and local governments leading the way in waste avoidance and the recovery of valuable resources, helping shape a more sustainable future for Western Australia.

Among the highlights at the awards was a double victory for Total Green Recycling, which won both the Business Award for expanding capacity in response to the State’s e-waste landfill ban and the discretionary 2026 WasteSorted Award for two decades’ commitment to electronic waste recovery.

A $2.56 million upgrade doubled the company’s recycling capacity at its Welshpool facility from 4,000 to 8,000 tonnes a year. It processed an additional 888 tonnes of material in the year following the upgrade, achieved recovery rates above 70 per cent and expanded its services to another 433 customer sites.

Other winners included Fair Game Australia, which has distributed more than 123,000 items of pre-owned sporting equipment to people in need, and Tyrecycle, which has established Australia’s first closed-loop conveyor belt recycling system. Edible Cutlery took home the Innovation Award for its edible utensils and cups, eliminating the need for single-use plastics across hospitality, events and community settings.

The winners were selected by judging panels comprising industry experts, previous award recipients, and State and local government representatives.

In total, 37 finalists were considered across 10 categories, with winners announced at a gala dinner on 10 September at Crown Perth attended by about 250 representatives from across government, industry, education and the community.

As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:

“The WasteSorted Awards honour the people and organisations finding practical and innovative ways to avoid waste, recover valuable resources and make landfill the last resort.

“This year’s winners demonstrate that better waste outcomes can be achieved in every part of our community – from schools and local governments to regional communities and major industries.

“The diversity of these projects is impressive, ranging from e-waste and conveyor belt recycling to community education, sporting equipment reuse and alternatives to single-use packaging.

“I congratulate all 37 finalists, as well as this year’s winners and highly commended recipients, for their contribution to a more sustainable Western Australia.”

2026 WasteSorted Awards winners

Community Waste Award

Winner: Fair Game Australia

Highly commended: Michal Zerzan, Parallel Riverfront Apartments

Schools Award

Winner: Ashburton Drive Primary School

Highly commended: Roebuck Primary School

Business Award

Winner: Total Green Recycling

Highly commended: Galactic Co-operative WA

Waste Champion Award

Winner: Tony Berry, Tidy Up

Highly commended: Wayde Clews, PalletON

Highly commended: Ibrahim Faseeh, The University of Western Australia

Waste Team Award

Winner: City of Kwinana

Local Government Award

Winner: City of Stirling

Highly commended: Town of Port Hedland

Regional Award

Winner: Milligan and the City of Bunbury

Highly commended: Kununurra Neighbourhood House

Community Events and Engagement Award

Winner: City of Kwinana, In the Zone Circular Fashion and Pop-up Op Shop

Highly commended: Circular Fashion Council, Circular Fashion Festival 2025

Innovation Award

Winner: Edible Cutlery

Highly commended: General Public Food Co.

Closing the Loop Award

Winner: Tyrecycle

Highly commended: Foodfolk Australia

Discretionary WasteSorted Award

Winner: Total Green Recycling

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