- 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
