Ecolabelling body Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) has launched Australia’s first independent assessment framework for recycling facilities.
Developed in partnership with the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR), the Australian Recycling Facilities (ARF) standard establishes a strict national benchmark to verify genuine recycling operations.
The launch arrives at a time when public confidence in recycling remains wanting. Recent research indicates that 41 per cent of Australians do not trust that their household waste is properly processed.
By introducing site-by-site independent assessments, the ARF standard aims to restore community trust and provide a clear framework to distinguish legitimate operations from substandard ones.
GECA CEO Josh Begbie said the standard will provide third-party validation to ensure materials collected are actually recovered and returned to productive use.
“The ARF standard provides an independent and credible way to recognise facilities that are delivering genuine recycling outcomes and operating to high environmental, operational and social standards,” Begbie said.
“By establishing a consistent benchmark for facility performance, we can support better procurement decisions, encourage investment in resource recovery infrastructure and help strengthen Australia’s recycling system.”
The framework is designed for facilities that actively sort and transform recovered waste into high-quality, commercially viable products. To achieve certification, operators must undergo independent audits evaluating their environmental management, health and safety protocols, transparency, and social responsibility.
ACOR CEO Suzanne Toumbourou said drawing a clear line between genuine recycling and other activities has been a longstanding industry challenge.
“For too long, it has been difficult to distinguish legitimate recycling facilities from other types of operations,” Toumbourou said.
“By setting a nationally recognised benchmark, the ARF standard helps create a more transparent and accountable recycling sector.
“When buyers have confidence in how materials are processed, it supports better procurement decisions and helps unlock investment across the circular economy.”
Applications for certification are now open to facility operators across Australia.
