Australia’s biggest recycling information provider is getting an upgrade as Australian businesses grapple with sustainability. Ryan Collins, Head of Impact and Research, Planet Ark, explains.
Australian businesses are responsible for more than a quarter of Australia’s total waste generation, making them a critical target to improve overall resource recovery. However, commercial and industrial recovery rates actually declined between 2013-14 and 2022-23.
To improve circular economy outcomes for businesses, we must understand the challenges they’re experiencing in managing waste and resources, as well as their motivations to drive more sustainable business practice and the opportunities presented by doing so.
Planet Ark’s upcoming report, Business Attitudes to Recycling and Other Sustainable Behaviours, has found that Australian businesses are increasingly striving to operate sustainably, but significant barriers remain to action.
Two of the key barriers to better waste management practices identified in the study were lack of awareness of more sustainable disposal options and a perceived lack of access to recycling services.
To help address these barriers, Planet Ark is shortly launching the first one-stop shop for recycling information for both households and businesses across Australia.
The merging of the Business Recycling directory and information website into the well-known Recycling Near You platform will facilitate greater accessibility to recycling and reuse information for a broader population of Australians and businesses. The aim is to build on the current Australian user base of 1.8 million per year.
Image: Owlie Productions/ shutterstock.com
Perceived barriers
The soon to be released Business Attitudes to Recycling and Other Sustainable Behaviours report surveyed 255 Australian businesses, revealing a strong intent to adopt sustainable practices.
Most businesses (74 per cent) have implemented policies, strategies, or procedures to reduce their environmental impact, and 71 per cent reported actively seeking information to achieve this goal.
Small businesses lag behind, with only 57 per cent having formal sustainability measures in place compared to 91 per cent of large businesses.
Despite these efforts, many businesses continue to send valuable materials to landfill due to a lack of awareness, convenience, and cost concerns. Among the key barriers cited:
- Awareness and knowledge: Many businesses remain unaware of recycling options for materials such as computer accessories, batteries and coffee pods.
- Access and convenience: A perceived lack of external recycling services and inadequate internal collection points hinder progress.
- Cost and prioritisation: Recycling is often perceived as more expensive than landfill disposal, with businesses citing costs as a significant deterrent.
Getting it right
Encouragingly, the report highlights several positive trends with many businesses already engaging in reuse, repair, and recycling initiatives. For example:
- Recycling: 77 per cent of businesses recycle advertising materials and envelopes, 74 per cent recycle aluminium cans, foil and trays, and 72 per cent recycle plastic bottles and office paper.
- Reuse and repair: 35 per cent of businesses repair computers, and 42 per cent resell or donate office furniture, signalling a shift toward higher-order circular economy strategies.
Missed opportunity
A significant insight from the research project was the untapped potential in adopting more circular economy strategies, which prioritise reducing consumption, redesigning products, and repurposing materials over traditional recycling.
Although many businesses recognise the benefits, only 14 per cent reported having a formal circular economy policy or strategy.
Adoption of higher-order circularity actions such as refusing unnecessary materials, remanufacturing products, or refurbishing items remains limited, reflecting a need for greater education and support.
The motivators
Cost savings emerged as the leading motivator for sustainable practices, with 79 per cent of businesses reporting financial benefits from reduced energy consumption.
Other significant drivers include:
- Corporate image: 66 per cent of businesses view sustainability as crucial to their public image.
- Customer and staff values: 51 per cent of businesses cited alignment with the values of customers and 67 per cent cited alignment with the values of employees as key motivators.
- Regulatory pressure: 65 per cent of businesses acknowledged the role of government regulations in influencing their sustainability efforts.
These motivators should be seen as critical leverage points for encouraging more widespread adoption of sustainable practices by businesses.
To address the barriers and accelerate progress, Planet Ark outlined several targeted recommendations:
Build strong education campaigns: Such campaigns would aim to raise awareness of recycling solutions and address barriers and motivators using behaviour change science.
Provide support for SMEs: Programs that offer one-on-one specialist support to help small businesses overcome resource constraints could have a significant impact on uptake of sustainability initiatives.
Highlight the cost benefits: Businesses can only make informed decisions when presented with accurate information, meaning a concerted effort should be made to demonstrate how circular economy strategies can reduce their operational costs and align with financial goals.
Strengthen regulations: Government should implement policies which focus on enabling high impact business actions and behaviours that significantly reduce Australia’s material and emissions footprints.
The road ahead
The research clearly paints a picture of a business community eager to embrace sustainability but in need of better support and guidance.
By addressing barriers and leveraging motivators, Australia has an opportunity to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
Collaborative efforts between government, the business community, and non-profit organisations such as Planet Ark will be essential in realising this vision.
As businesses continue their sustainability journeys, resources such as the soon to be updated Recycling Near You platform will play a pivotal role in providing the tools and knowledge needed to make meaningful progress.
With the right interventions, Australian businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact while unlocking economic benefits and enhancing resilience in a rapidly changing world.
This research was conducted with support from the NSW Environment Protection Authority, the Foundation Partner of Planet Ark’s Business Recycling program, and Pollinate, Planet Ark’s strategic research partner.
For more information, visit: www.planetark.org
