Winners Announced
Congratulations to the winners of the Waste 2026 Collaboration and Innovation Awards.
Outstanding Collaborative Project
Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC)
The SSROC-led “Paving the Way” initiative brings together 16 councils and partners to build end markets for recycled glass and rubber in road construction. By aggregating demand and aligning procurement, the program has driven large-scale use of recycled materials, diverting significant volumes from landfill while supporting local manufacturing and jobs.
The project has also improved asset performance, with rubber-modified asphalt extending pavement life and reducing maintenance impacts. Through its scale and collaboration, the initiative is helping embed circular economy principles into council procurement and influencing broader industry standards.
Outstanding Individual Project
Shoalhaven City Council
Shoalhaven City Council has delivered a council-owned MRF to locally process kerbside recyclables and reduce reliance on external markets. The facility processes up to 25,000 tonnes per year and forms part of a broader recycling precinct, linking with glass and rubber processing to keep value within the region.
By bringing processing in-house, the project improves service reliability and strengthens community confidence in recycling outcomes. Designed as long-term infrastructure with flexibility to adapt to changing materials and markets, it provides a stable and scalable solution for regional recycling.