Australian newsprint recycling remains world-class

The latest Newsprint Recovery & Recycling report shows Australia continues to lead the way in recycling of newsprint with 61.8 per cent of newsprint recycled.

ThinkNewsBrands has today shared the findings of a report on newsprint recycling which shows 61.8 per cent of newsprint produced in Australia is recycled.

The 2021-2022 Newsprint Recovery & Recycling report, prepared by IndustryEdge, highlights the sustained and ongoing efforts of Australian publishers to minimise their impact on the environment.

In 2021-2022, the recycling rate only fell marginally, by 3.8 percentage points, compared to the previous report conducted in 2020. Additionally, the report found the decline in newsprint consumption was below expectations having fallen by only 7.8 per cent on an annualised basis, well below the level of previous years which averaged a 13.2 per cent decline.

Given the overall difficulties in the recycling market, this is a great result and positions Australia as a leader in the efforts to recycle newsprint.

Tony Wilkins

ThinkNewsBrands Environment Director

Globally, the newsprint recovery rate is often included in wider paper recycling figures however the latest data from the US shows recycling sits at 60 per cent.

The focused effort on newsprint recycling in Australia began in 1990 with the implementation of the first product stewardship plan, the National Environment Sustainability Agreement for newspapers and magazines (NESA). The NESA is supported by Nine, News Corp Australia, Seven West Media and Are Media.

In 1989, only 28 per cent of newspapers were recycled with 3 per cent of all newspapers going to landfill. Today, only 0.3 per cent of newspapers end up in landfill with an incredible 62 per cent having a second life. Key uses of recycled newsprint include moulded fibre, pet care, composting and insulation.

The report follows a partnership forged by ThinkNewsBrands with REDcycle, a recovery initiative for post-consumer soft plastic that sees the plastic wrap from magazines and newspaper turned into products such as furniture or parks and schools. As part of the partnership, ThinkNewsBrands members dedicated $500,000 worth of advertising inventory to a national advertising campaign designed to educate the Australian public about the benefits of recycling.

Dr Wilkins added: “Australia retains its position among the world leaders in newspaper recycling and we expect this to continue, in line with the sustainability commitments of our industry. More on that soon.”

Media Enquiries
Brooke Hemphill
bhemphill@premiumcontentalliance.com.au
0419 351 445

Recycling Enquiries
Dr Tony Wilkins
awilkins@thinknewsbrands.com.au
0413 080 789