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ARTICLE · 17 SEPTEMBER 2025

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August 2025 ESG Policy Update—Australia

K&L Gates
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A recent report "Australia's Waste[d] Opportunity 2025" (AWO Report) has identified that Australia's construction industry stands as the nation's largest source of waste, which reportedly contributes to a staggering 29% of Australia's total waste.

GlobalEnvironment
Jim Bulling
Jim Bulling
Clive Cachia
Clive Cachia
Lisa Lautier
Lisa Lautier
Adam Levine
Adam Levine
Tom Young
Tom Young
Michael Hain
Michael Hain
Nathan Bodlovich
Nathan Bodlovich
Daniel Nastasi
Daniel Nastasi
Natalia Tan
Natalia Tan

AUSTRALIAN UPDATE

Australia's Construction Waste: Transformation Through Circular Design

A recent report "Australia's Waste[d] Opportunity 2025" (AWO Report) has identified that Australia's construction industry stands as the nation's largest source of waste, which reportedly contributes to a staggering 29% of Australia's total waste.

The AWO Report describes "waste" as a valuable material which stakeholders have failed to value. It observes that the average building project discards 141kg of material per square metre, which amounts to AU$384 per square metre on wasted materials. The top three categories of wasted materials are "Mixed Concrete, Masonry and Tile", "Soil, Sand and Rubble Fines" and "Timber".

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