Broome recycling service upgrade to improve recovery rates
Published on 22 May 2026
The Shire of Broome is set to significantly improve its kerbside recycling service, with recyclable materials soon to be transported to the South Guildford Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Perth for processing.
The change is expected to increase the recovery of recyclable materials to around 76 per cent, substantially reducing the amount of recyclable waste sent to landfill.
Under the updated arrangement, recyclable materials collected from Broome’s yellow-lid bins will no longer be processed locally. Instead, they will be sorted and recovered at the modern South Guildford MRF, which is equipped with advanced technology capable of processing a wider range of recyclable materials more effectively.
Shire President Chris Mitchell said the change marked an important step forward for waste management and sustainability outcomes in Broome.
“Council has been supportive of pursuing improved recycling outcomes for our community, and this change will help ensure more recyclable material is successfully recovered and diverted from landfill,” Cr Mitchell said.
“While the recycling is travelling further for processing, the environmental benefits of increased recovery rates and reduced landfill are significant.
“This gives residents greater confidence that the effort they put into recycling at home is resulting in better outcomes for the environment.”
The South Guildford MRF, constructed in 2020, is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the southern hemisphere and uses specialised equipment to sort glass, paper, cardboard, plastics and metals. The facility also features advanced fire detection and suppression systems and is supported by a 680kW solar power system.
The improved processing capability will also allow for the recovery of Plastics #5 (Polypropylene) in addition to Plastics #1 (PET) and Plastics #2 (HDPE).
The move to transport recyclables from regional areas for processing through larger and more specialised MRFs follows a statewide trend and is now considered the preferred delivery methodology.
Residents are encouraged to continue recycling correctly by:
• keeping recyclables loose, not bagged
• rinsing containers where possible
• keeping general rubbish out of recycling bins to avoid contamination.
Further information about recycling in Broome, including what can and cannot be recycled, is available via the Shire of Broome website.