How successful is recycling?

When the publishing industry’s initial Industry Waste Reduction Plan, Australia’s rate of recycling old newspapers was estimated to be 28%.

In 1995, recycling rates had risen to 52.7% against a target in the first industry Plan of 40%.  In 2000, 64% of our newspapers were recycled, again outperforming the industry trarget figure (60%).  By 2005, recycling rates had reached 74%, a performance amongst the best, if not the best, in the world.

In 2010, recycling targets have been set at 78%, with Australia’s recycling performance again to exceed targets, possibly reaching as high as 80%.

In fact the 2009 figure has just been calculated to be 78% thereby reaching the 2010 target a year ahead of schedule.