CAWRA is more than just a MRF
From early 2025 we have stepped forward to widen the suite of waste and recycling services that we manage for our two constituent Councils.
At the heart of our operations, our Materials Recovery Facility (CAWRA's MRF) continues to deliver high-quality recycling services to our constituent and client Councils. This service is provided in partnership with Visy Recycling, as MRF operators.
From July 2025, CAWRA also manages waste and recycling contracts on behalf of the Cities of Charles Sturt and Port Adelaide Enfield (including for the provision and support of kerbside bin services, and the associated recycling, composting or disposal of waste materials).
CAWRA also regularly undertakes service reviews and provides strategic advice to both Councils to support continuous improvement in the scope and quality of waste and recycling services offered. In 2025, this has included reviews of hard waste services and the expansion of alternatives (including hard waste drop-off vouchers and mattress recycling) and the expansion of the City of Charles Sturt's weekly food organics recycling trial.
A cornerstone achievement in 2025 was the development and formal endorsement of CAWRA's new regional strategy 'Going Circular to 2030'. This strategy defines our long-term vision and commitment to transforming waste into valuable resources and supporting a thriving circular economy for the region. It was developed in consultation with both Councils, state government agencies, Council Members and the communities of our two constituent Councils, attracting hundreds of written submissions from residents during its consultation phase in early 2025.
CAWRA also continues to work with Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia to support the recycling of soft plastic packaging through our soft plastics recycling pilot. Fully funded by the brand owners and supermarkets who place soft plastic packaging on the market, this program is now providing a highly valued service to over 5,000 participating households. CAWRA and our Councils have also partnered with recyclers to 'buy back' the resulting recycled materials that are made with our used soft plastics.