Your say on our new waste reduction and circular materials strategy
Open for feedback
We invite your thoughts about a sustainable future for Sydney.
Public consultation period to
What we’re doing
Our new waste reduction and circular materials strategy 2025–2035 sets our ambition for an even more sustainable, resilient future.
The strategy outlines how we’ll cut down waste, reduce our environmental impact and support a circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair and recycling.
We invite your feedback on the 5 direction areas and key actions in the draft strategy.
Why we’re doing this
Across Australia, waste and products we consume are changing. Global supply chains affect the choice of materials we buy. It takes time and investment to adapt our recycling systems to new materials.
There’s a growing need for businesses to take responsibility for the whole life cycle of their products. Waste services are under pressure as landfill space runs out.
We spoke with residents, businesses and organisations about how we can help them reduce waste. People told us they want more information about waste and recycling, further options to manage food waste and recycling solutions for tricky items, such as soft plastics.
Up to 70% of items in red lid rubbish bins can be recycled using existing or planned services. We collect more than 5,000 tonnes of bulky household waste each year. Around 30% could be reused.
By making better use of our recycling and reuse services, and keeping items in use for longer, we can send fewer items to landfill and protect our resources for the future.
What we’ve achieved so far
Since 2017 we’ve:
- reduced residential waste per person by 18%
- significantly increased what we recycle from street cleaning and storm water drains
- granted more than $400,000 for local circular economy projects
- offered food waste recycling to residents and our own buildings.
But there’s more to do.
Draft waste reduction and circular materials strategy 2025–2035PDF · 5.17 MB · Last modified
About the new waste reduction and circular economy strategy
Our vision is for a circular economy in Sydney. In partnership with our communities, we’ll strive to make Sydney a city where nothing is wasted.
This strategy will help us further reduce waste by:
- using our buying power to support a circular economy
- supporting small businesses in our area to become more sustainable
- providing new recycling options for unwearable textile items
- expanding residential food scraps recycling and trialling new local processing options
- increasing support for reuse and repair projects through our grants
- championing the use of circular design in new local developments.
We want to work with our communities to divert 90% of waste from landfill by June 2035. We’re spending more on cleaning, and on waste and recycling services to help residents keep Sydney clean and green.
Our draft strategy sets clear ambitions. We want our communities to avoid waste and consume carefully, have easy and affordable access to reuse, repair and recycling, and see new buildings and spaces designed with circular principles. A goal is for Sydney’s streets and public places to stay clean and free of litter, and we want flexible, reliable waste systems that meet community needs. Our strategy also includes advocacy for state and federal policies and regulations that allow us to achieve our ambitions.
Direction areas
Next steps
We’ll report your feedback and present the final strategy to Council for endorsement.
How you can give feedback
Consultation closes at 5pm on Wednesday 5 November 2025.
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Complete a short survey
You’ll need to log in with a City of Sydney account to complete the survey. If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to create one.
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Attend a community workshop
Tuesday 21 October, 5:30pm to 7pm
Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street Sydney -
Talk to our strategy team
Learn more about the strategy’s direction areas and tell us what would help you to use our waste and recycling services.
- Customs House Forecourt – Wednesday 8 October, 1pm to 3pm
- Green Square Library – Friday 10 October, 10am to 12pm
- Glebe Library lawn – Thursday 23 October, 10am to 12pm
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Email or post your feedback
You can give your feedback by email to [email protected] or post to:
City of Sydney
City Engagement
GPO Box 1591
Sydney NSW 2001 -
Talk to us
Other ways you can give feedback
Related programs
Training and resources to help small businesses and residents cut costs, reduce waste and build resilience.
Talks, courses & workshops
Introduction to the circular economyEnvironmental support & funding
Food scraps recycling service
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