NSW Recycled Materials Guide

Recent feedback from the Greater Whitsunday Region RSA 2025 Survey reveals a recurring frustration among sustainability-minded organisations: the lack of demand for recycled content in the Australian marketplace. Despite an eagerness to innovate with recycled materials- such as recycled plastic pellets for fuel grain manufacturing- respondents cite barriers such as limited headcount, funding, and above all, insufficient market pull for recycled products.

These sentiments are emblematic of a broader industry challenge: while environmental ambition exists, systemic structures are still catching up. Fortunately, a new policy development aims to bridge that gap.

Introducing the

🔗NSW Recycled Materials Guidance

Published in May 2025 by the Bradfield Development Authority, the Recycled Materials Guidance Document is a landmark initiative aimed at mainstreaming recycled content in the built environment. Developed under the NSW Government's "Choose Circular" program and supported by Arup, the document is a strategic intervention to stimulate market demand and supply chain alignment for recycled materials.

The guidance responds directly to market gaps by:

  • Providing verified pathways for integrating recycled content into 13 high-impact construction material categories.

  • Standardising specifications that developers and contractors can confidently adopt.

  • Highlighting Australian manufacturers already capable of supplying high-recycled-content materials.

The guidance also tackles persistent myths that recycled materials are lower quality or carry regulatory risk. Through detailed case studies and performance criteria—including acoustic, fire safety, and durability standards—it reframes recycled content as a safe, resilient, and performance-equivalent alternative.

“Recycled materials are not fringe—they are future standard.”

By clarifying standards, promoting local suppliers, and embedding recycled content into mainstream construction, this document may help shift recycled materials from “nice to have” to “non-negotiable”.

In doing so, it brings a new level of legitimacy and scalability to Australia’s circular economy ambitions—and offers hope to those still waiting for the market to catch up with their vision.

Projects RCOE