In May 2025, Kishan Singh, CEO of MetPacSA, and Sally-Anne Käsner, Founder of Circular Vision, recently visited the Cleanaway Western Sydney Material Recovery Facility (MRF) — one of Australia’s most advanced recycling centres, located in New South Wales.
This visit formed part of MetPacSA’s broader learning journey to explore international best practices in resource recovery and circular economy implementation.
About Cleanaway and the Western Sydney MRF
Cleanaway Waste Management Limited, an ASX-listed company with over 50 years of experience in Australia’s waste sector, commissioned the $70 million (R820 million) Western Sydney MRF in December 2024.
Strategically located near the M4 and M7 motorway interchange, the facility is well-positioned to serve both metropolitan and regional communities. It is capable of processing up to 120,000 tonnes of commingled recyclables annually and represents a significant step forward in achieving Cleanaway’s sustainability and recovery goals.
Technology-Driven Recycling
Outfitted with some of the latest sorting equipment and automation technologies, the MRF is designed to maximise material recovery and purity. The facility efficiently separates and prepares a range of recyclables for resale to downstream manufacturers and processors, including:
- Cardboard
- Glass
- PET
- HDPE
- Polypropylene
- Mixed Plastics
- Aluminium and Steel
Sustainability is embedded into the facility’s design, with 15% of its energy needs met by rooftop photovoltaic solar panels. In addition, stormwater harvesting systems are used to minimise reliance on municipal water supplies.
Challenges in Commingled Recycling
The facility processes recyclables collected from yellow-lidded curbside bins. However, contamination remains a persistent challenge — particularly as new areas begin participating in the collection system. Although the MRF was not operational during the visit, the advanced infrastructure and thoughtful layout highlighted its capability as a high-performance recovery hub.
Key Reflections from the Visit
The visit reinforced several critical insights for MetPacSA’s strategic direction:
- Waste management is a shared global challenge, requiring systemic collaboration.
- Post-consumer material recovery is energy-intensive and costly, particularly when packaging is not designed for effective end-of-life management.
- There is a pressing need to rethink packaging design — not only for recyclability but also for compatibility with local collection and sorting systems.
As the South African packaging industry advances under new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, MetPacSA is committed to collaborating across the value chain to ensure metal packaging is designed with integrity and retains its material value throughout its lifecycle.
Acknowledgements
MetPacSA extends its sincere appreciation to the Cleanaway team for hosting the visit and sharing their insights into facility operations and national recycling strategies.
Special thanks to:
- Bhavin Rao – Business Manager, Recycling, Cleanaway
- Annupa Ahi – Vice President and Head of Asia, Public Affairs, TOMRA
- Shikha Shokeen – Market Analyst, Public Affairs – Southeast Asia, TOMRA
This visit has offered invaluable learning and affirmed the importance of global collaboration and knowledge exchange in building circular packaging systems that are resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
